The Bridge Family Center’s annual Children’s Charity Ball was held on Saturday night, April 29, 2023, at the Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford.
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The mood was celebratory at Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford on Saturday evening as 350 people gathered to support the work of the Bridge Family Center at the annual Children’s Charity Ball.
The annual event always has a theme – this year it was “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” – and upon arrival guests could ring a bell to receive a glass of rose wine passed to them through a hidden window for a whimsical and rosy start to the evening.
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The theme is also tied in some way to the organization’s mission, and this year was no exception.
“Since ancient times roses have been grown for their fragrance, beauty, and healing properties,” Bridge Executive Director Margaret Hann told the crowd. “Roses, with their unique combination of thorny stems and fragrant blossoms are often prizes as a symbol of achievement, completion, and perfection. After having met the long stems with the thorns, you are rewarded with a flower of great beauty and mesmerizing fragrant. In other words, roses act as a metaphor for life: After overcoming difficulty, you will find inner harmony, union, and happiness.”
Bridge Executive Director Margaret Hann. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Bridge is there for the community during those times filled with thorns and pain, said Hann, speaking to ball-goers for the 24th time about how the organization’s mission is life-changing. There is struggle, but also triumph, and she shared some poignant stories with guests about how their donations have made a difference in the ultimate course of people’s lives through prevention and crisis management as well as enrichment programs.
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hann said that last year the Bridge served more than 8,500 children and families through various programs. The Bridge held more than 10,000 counseling session (a 17% increase over the past year), served 103 homeless children, and helped 102 young people find a path to adulthood through independent living programs. In addition, Hann said that the Family Resource Center provided social and emotional support to 571 children and connected more than 100 parents to critical resources. Those are just some of the services provided in West Hartford and the surrounding area.
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Sponsorships exceeded $112,000 and according to the Bridge Director of Development and Communications Doreen Tarascio, this year’s Children’s Charity Ball raised $300,000.
The crowd that attended Saturday night’s gala included community and business leaders from West Hartford and the surrounding area, who donated generously to live and silent auctions, or raised their paddles for the “Changing Lives Challenge,” provided support for the Bridge’s operations that include multiple shelters and mental health clinics, a family resource and teen center, and other services for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
WFSB meteorologist and co-host of “Better CT” Scot Haney returned for the 22nd year as emcee and auctioneer.
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Mike Shauck
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Scot Haney returned as emcee and auctioneer for the 22nd time. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 29, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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