Denzel Washington donates $100,000 for Mount Vernon school sports

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By Hannan Adely • The Journal News • August 7, 2008

MOUNT VERNON - Fundraising efforts for the schools' sports program has received a boost with the announcement that actor Denzel Washington will contribute $100,000 to the cause.

Washington's contribution matches the $100,000 that has already been raised in the community and brings the district closer to its goal of having $300,000 in donations by Sunday to pay for the fall sports season.
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Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young announced the donation at a Board of Education meeting last night and a press event today. A publicist for Washington was unable to confirm the donation today, saying his client was unavailable.

Washington is a well-known supporter of youth programs in Mount Vernon and is a national spokesman for the Boys & Girls Club of America.

A coalition of community members and public officials has been trying to raise the full $950,000 to cover the interscholastic school sports programs, which lost district funding due to budget constraints this year.

Courtney Cameron, a guard and defensive tackle for the Mount Vernon High School football team, said he had faith that the funds would come through, at least for the fall sports.

"Everything is coming together to help us have a season this year," he said.

Read more about this story tomorrow in The Journal News and on LoHud.com