Ossining MATTERS’ gala benefit concert featuring world-famous singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and her husband, guitarist-songwriter-producer John Leventhal, raised nearly $55,000, which the education foundation will use to supplement academic, cultural arts, and athletic programs in the Ossining School District.

Emcee Bradley Morrison, Event Co-Chair Debbie Lenaghan, and Ossining MATTERS President Ginny Loughlin welcomed the crowd of over 600 to the sixth annual Spring Gala. Mr. Morrison then introduced the award-winning AMD Jazz Choir, under the direction of David August. The Jazz Choir performed four jazz standards, then finished with their own version of “Folsom Prison Blues,” in tribute to Rosanne Cash’s father.

Ossining MATTERS volunteer Mary Murphy gave a warm introduction to Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, who spent the next hour-plus setting the stage on fire. Together they performed a mix of familiar songs and old favorites, plus several tunes from Cash’s forthcoming album.

For the last song on the program, three OHS students and one OHS graduate, plus Mr. Morrison, joined the stars on stage.  Their charged up performance of the Beatles’ “And Your Bird Can Sing,” which they had rehearsed that afternoon, brought the house down. When the crowd pleaded for an encore, Cash and Leventhal responded with a lovely, haunting version of “500 Miles.”

Following the concert, the party moved to the Ossining Public Library. Cash and Leventhal stopped by to celebrate the evening’s success with Ossining MATTERS supporters, joining them in sampling hors d’oeuvres and beverages donated by local restaurants and merchants. The reception featured both a silent and a live auction, conducted by crowd-pleasing auctioneer Ted Donson. Items ranging from exclusive Broadway evenings to artworks, one-of-a-kind experiences with beloved Ossining teachers, and more drew spirited bidding. The auction receipts gave a considerable boost to the evening’s proceeds, helping to ensure that Ossining MATTERS Education Foundation will continue to be able to fund a broad range of programs meeting a wide variety of student needs and interests throughout the Ossining School District.

And for the second year in a row, those who couldn’t attend the concert or reception – or just didn’t want to stop bidding – had another chance to further the mission of Ossining MATTERS, as this year’s online auction remained open through April 26. Supporters were able to bid on over 130 items, from dinners at terrific local restaurants, salon and spa services, and music lessons to sporting event tickets, house seats at Broadway shows, private Hudson cruises and intimate dinners with local politicians.

We are so very grateful to all who contributed to the evening, whether by attending the concert, bidding at the auctions, donating items for the auction and reception, stuffing envelopes, or lending a hand in any of the dozens of other ways that helped make the gala such a success. Thanks to you, we will continue to work together to make a positive difference in the education of Ossining's students.