They found the fun in raising funds.
Residents of the People’s Playground partied at the Alliance for Coney Island’s seventh annual gala at Gargiulo’s restaurant last week.
More than 300 attendees representing the neighborhood’s various communities — including local residents, business owners, and developers — turned out to the April 4 fund-raiser for the organization, according to its executive director.
“It was a great array of the whole community,” said Alexandra Silversmith.
Locals gathered for the soirée at the Italian eatery on W. 15th Street between Mermaid and Surf avenues, where Silversmith and other Alliance honchos honored the 80th anniversary of the now-defunct Parachute Jump and handed out awards to local leaders, including Coney Island YMCA Executive Director Sam Moore, Sneaker Town USA owner Ernest Chabel, and Beth Ritter, who accepted a tribute honoring her late husband, local environmental activist Gene Ritter.
Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett also delivered remarks about the quasi-governmental agency’s work in the neighborhood, including adding a forthcoming ferry stop and expanding Coney Island Hospital.
By press time, Silversmith said honchos had not determined how much money attendees raised for the organization at the event, and added that the cash would contribute toward staging events such as the weekly summer Friday Night Fireworks and the Flicks on the Beach film series at Luna Park, along with the group’s annual children’s Halloween parade.
