MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (AP) — With one gift, actor Denzel Washington has doubled the amount raised in an attempt to save the highly ranked sports programs at a high school where he grew up just north of New York City.
Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young says the Oscar winner has donated $100,000 to help Mount Vernon High School.
It will take $950,000 to replace the funding lost when taxpayers voted down the school budget, but officials say they can run fall sports if they have $300,000 by Monday.
Washington's gift brings the total raised to $200,000.
Spokeswoman Desiree Grand says the school board is optimistic.
Washington didn't go to Mount Vernon High School. But the star of Remember the Titans credits the local Boys & Girls Club with his success.
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