NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge has already hit his first “home run” of 2024, with the Yankees' captain hosting his ALL RISE Foundation’s “All Star Evening” gala on Thursday evening at Cipriani Wall Street.

The event raised nearly $800,000 to support Judge’s foundation and its mission, which is to inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens by engaging them in activities that encourage them to reach unlimited possibilities.

“This is what it’s all about,” Judge said. “Given the gift of playing Major League Baseball here in New York, I’ve got a lot of great things and a lot of people around me that supported me along the way. This is our opportunity to give back to the next generation, that next group that’s coming along the way.”

Judge and his mother, Patty, organized the ALL RISE Foundation in 2018, one season after the slugger was unanimously named the American League Rookie of the Year. The organization has been impactful on both coasts, with events in New York and near Judge’s hometown of Linden, Calif.

“It’s just really to inspire the next generation to be better citizens, better students, family members, everything,” Judge said. “It’s to push them a little bit in school and get to that next level. We’ve got different after-school programs, mini-grants. There’s a whole slew of things on the way to get them in the best position to be better citizens.”

Thursday’s event was attended by several of Judge's current and former teammates, including manager Aaron Boone, Nestor Cortes, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Corey Kluber, DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Rodón, Mike Tauchman, Tyler Wade and Anthony Volpe.

Meredith Marakovits of YES Network and Suzyn Waldman of WFAN Radio shared hosting duties.

Speakers at the event included Arleigh Rothenberg and student Frida Kasimis, acknowledging Spring 36, an ALL RISE mini-grant recipient.

Other mini-grant recipients on hand were: Birch Family Services, DMF Youth, First Tech Fund, NYC Autism Charter Schools, Tourette's Association and Urban Dove.

“My mom and I never would have thought this, back in 2018, starting this up,” Judge said. “We’re still growing; we’re still improving. It’s just a surreal moment to see how much it’s growing and the support that you guys show daily. It means so much to us.”