Steaks for the kids and hamburgers for the grown-ups. That's the menu that greeted children from the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem and their sponsors when they sat down for their supper at the Hotel Bethlehem.

The October fund raiser brought in about $50,000 to the club, according to the club's president, Daniel Nigito.

Nigito described the club's Chief Professional Officer Gary Martell as "A lunatic and the hardest working man in America." Nigito credited Martell for being a great leader of the organization.

Air Products' John McGlade and his wife Brenda attended the banquet as did Bethlehem City Councilman David DiGiacinto.

Air Products was the "Platinum" sponsor of the event.

DiGiacinto said he had been a member of the club when he was a preteen. He is now on the board of directors for the youth club.

"The club is highly dependent on people giving their money," DiGiacinto said. "It serves thousands of kids with a very small staff."

While the kids seemed to enjoy the attention of their adult hosts, they were mostly interested in the magic of David Caserta who kept them spell-bound as he entertained them with his illusions.

State Theater Director Shelley Brown Nigito chaired the gala event. She found time to chat with children and pass out some hugs.

"Gold" sponsors included Christmas City Printing, First Niagara Bank, the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, Spark and Trans-Bridge Lines.

Table sponsors included James Barnes, Dennis Benner, the Bethlehem Housing Authority, Buckno Lisicky & Co., Cohen, Feeley Altemose & Rambo, and Sandy and Pat Corpora.

Other table sponsors included Embassy Bank, Florio, Petrucci, Steinhardt & Fader, LLC, Tom Hall, Herron Funeral Homes and Crematory, Bernadette Holland and David Donio.

Just Born, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., Merion Financial Services, LLC and More Than Money with Gene Dickison also sponsored tables.

Northampton Community College, Team Capital Bank, Trans-Bridge Lines and WFMZ-TV were also table sponsors.

According to the Boy's and Girl's Club's website, the organization "builds character through everyday leadership and guidance in behavior and attitude. Young people of all nationalities, races and creeds join together in wholesome recreation and companionship."

The club has a professional staff which acts as mentors and role models. They run programs to "help young people succeed in school, stay healthy, learn life skills" and to be active in sports and arts.