A ‘Starry Night’ for the Bridge Family Center at Annual Children’s Charity Ball
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Bridge Executive Director Margaret Hann (left) with honorary event co-chairs Rick and Kate Deurloo. Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Bridge Family Center’s Children’s Charity Ball was held Saturday night, Jan. 31, 2026, at the Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford.
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
There may not have been much actual star-gazing happening on Saturday night, Jan. 31, but despite the single-digit temperatures with sub-zero wind chills outside, inside the Hartford Golf Club there was “A Sky Full of Stars” as 220 guests donated generously to support the Bridge Family Center at the 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball.
An estimated $285,000 was raised at this year’s event to support the organization’s mission to support children and families, including $130,000 through sponsorships.
For more than a quarter of a century, the Children’s Charity Ball has been a highly-anticipated social event for the West Hartford community, and this year the event returned to the Hartford Golf Club, where guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing, and live, silent, and basket auctions – as well as a spirited game of “heads or tails.” The generous crowd, which included community and business leaders from West Hartford and the surrounding area, also raised their paddles for the “Changing Lives Challenge.”
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Since its inception, through the incredible generosity of hundreds of sponsors, attendees, and donors, the Children’s Charity Ball has helped to raise well over $5 million dollars to fund the vital programs and services the Bridge offers to further their mission of supporting “Every Family. Every Child. Every Time.”
Judy Bierley, Ellen Sayers, and Cheri Stabnick were recognized for being part of the event committee for all 27 years.
Emcee Scot Haney. Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
WFSB meteorologist and co-host of “Better CT” Scot Haney returned for the 25th year as emcee and auctioneer.
Rick Deurloo, president of Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines, and Kate Deurloo, global senior manager of LEGO Group, reprised their roles as honorary chairs of this year’s Children’s Charity Ball. RTX was the presenting sponsor.
Co-chairs Rick and Kate Deurloo. Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Headquartered in West Hartford, the Bridge Family Center is “a comprehensive, regional nonprofit agency that provides a broad range of services for children and families throughout the Greater Hartford area. Founded in 1969, the Bridge offers a safe haven for children and families in crisis as well as positive, healthy intervention and prevention programs,” the website states.
Bridge Executive Director Margaret Hann said the organization truly is the “North Star” for so many children and families.
Bridge Executive Director Margaret Hann. Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni
Services have expanded over the years and include mental health counseling, residential facilities, parent education and early childhood literacy programs, and a variety of additional programs for youth and families, many of which are school-based. The Bridge is governed by a Board of Directors, employs roughly 175 staff, and is assisted in its mission by more than 150 volunteers.
In addition the Ball, the Bridge’s budget is funded through private donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, and organizations; the Town of West Hartford; the State of Connecticut Departments of Children and Families (DCF) and Education; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
More information can be found on the Bridge’s website.
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Mike Shauck
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Co-chairs Rick and Kate Deurloo. Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 27th annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 31, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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