Hundreds of Washingtonians were out late on a School Night thanks to Fight for Children, Inc., a non-profit organization that gathers together local business and community leaders, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and the entertainment industry, to raise scholarship money for deserving children throughout the D.C. area. John Mellencamp headlined the evening’s entertainment with an energetic performance before the dinner and awards ceremony. A fantastic laser light show, music by the Grammy award-winning Mavericks, and a performance by the Archbishop Carroll High School Gospel Choir kept the festivities going throughout the night. This year, financier Peter Lynch, Vice Chairman of Fidelity Management and Research Company, was honored with the 1999 Leadership Award for his work with underprivileged children. Lynch currently chairs the Inner-City Scholarship Fund of Boston, which has helped to raise nearly $14 million to benefit more than 20,000 students. Renowned for being D.C.’s largest fundraiser in terms of dollars raised, this year’s event raised a remarkable $3 million for area scholarships.

School Night '99 Chair: Albert L. Lord, Vice Chairman & CEO of Sallie Mae

Fight for Children, Inc.: Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Chairman & CEO of J.E. Robert Companies