Annual Children’s Charity Ball Will Help Keep Children and Families ‘Safe and Sound’
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Executive Director Margaret Hann and Board member Nancy DePalma. Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Generous patrons celebrated in style at The Bridge Family Center’s annual Children’s Charity Ball, held this year in the Marquee Events’ Gershon Fox Ballroom.
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Elegantly-clad guests in black tie attire strolled down the red carpet of 960 Main St. in Hartford on Saturday night, entering the glitzy Gershon Fox Ballroom – which many fondly remembered as the former G. Fox Department store – but along with the glamour and promise of an festive evening was a common goal of supporting children and families in the community.
“Safe and sound” was the theme of this year’s gala, and on Saturday night the generosity of guests and the sponsors of the West Hartford-based nonprofit will make it possible for the children and families served by The Bridge Family Center to continue to remain safe and sound.
There were 381 guests at the sold-out event– community and business leaders from West Hartford and the surrounding area supporting the Bridge’s operations that include three mental health clinics, a family resource and teen center, and other services for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
It was an amazing night,” Amanda Aronson, director of Marketing and Communications for the Bridge and Children’s Charity Ball coordinator said Sunday. “We woke up this morning to find our inboxes flooded with notes about how much people enjoyed themselves and loved the event and new venue. Our guests who come annually expressed how much they enjoyed everything, and we had many new attendees tell us they will be back next year,” she said.
“Our guests have always been mission-centered, but this year we were thrilled to field many more questions about the impact the Bridge makes in West Hartford serving as the Youth Service Bureau and running the Family Resource Center, Teen Center, and Counseling Center,” Aronson said.
WFSB meteorologist and co-host of “Better CT” Scot Haney returned as emcee and auctioneer.
Live auction highlights included tickets to “Saturday Night Live” along with a luxury hotel; tickets to the Celtics and Nets; a stay at the elegant Spicer Mansion in Mystic; a Billy Grant dinner for 10; an eight-hour night on the town in a Premier Limousine (three of those were donated!); an Iron & Grain Food Truck party; and many also pledged to attend a “Bluegrass and Beer” fall event at Auerfarm.
The “Changing Lives Challenge” also raised thousands, as did a silent auction (conducted by Text2Bid this year), and “bling” and basket raffles.
The committee is still tabulating the proceeds, but past galas have raised in excess of $240,000.
“People want to support us, because they realize the discreet ways the Bridge works behind the scenes to ensure that West Hartford children and families are safe and sound,” Aronson said. “The support comes full circle, and this event often reinforces for people how valuable it is when we remain in this work together.”
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Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Emcee Scot Haney. Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and her husband, Michael Cantor. Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Executive Director Margaret Hann. Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Ball Committee. Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: IRIS Photography
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: IRIS Photography
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: IRIS Photography
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: IRIS Photography
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: IRIS Photography
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: IRIS Photography
Bridge Family Center’s 19th Annual Children’s Charity Ball. Jan. 20, 2018. Photo credit: IRIS Photography
[…] were back in Hartford Saturday night for the Bridge Family Center’s Children’s Charity Ball, held this year at the beautiful Marquee Events Gershon Ballroom (aka the former G. Fox Building). […]