Audra McDonald donates her voice to charity for homeless youth

NEW YORK — Grabbing a hot chocolate at the theater-district restaurant Sardi’s usually costs only a few bucks, but when you add one special ingredient, it soars to $2,250. What’s that ingredient? Audra McDonald.

The six-time Tony Award winner from Fresno is offering to join you and a guest over cocoa as part of her effort to raise money for homeless young people. The get-together — which also later includes a short private performance — is one of several prizes she’s offering to raise $25,000 for Covenant House by Wednesday, Aug. 12.

McDonald got involved in the effort last year when she watched Covenant House staff welcome a homeless youth into their shelter.