‘Here Comes the Sun’: Children’s Charity Ball Returns in Person
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Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Bridge Family Center’s annual Children’s Charity Ball was held on Saturday night, April 30, 2022, at the Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford.
Honorary Chairs Robert and Tamara Laurie. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The theme was “Here Comes the Sun,” and when the 240 guests arrived at Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford early Saturday evening, the atmosphere was festive, and the smiles were as bright as the sunshine still filtering in through the windows at one of the first galas to return since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Children’s Charity Ball is typically held in late January – when it’s already dark at the 6 p.m. start time – and in early 2020, the last time the Bridge Family Center held its signature gala there was a snowstorm raging outside. The 2021 fundraiser was virtual.
The mission of the Bridge, which the nonprofit has been fulfilling since 1969, is to support children and families in the community, a need which has become even more critical during the pandemic.
“The number of children, teens, and adults we see in our shelters, clinics, schools, and Family Resource Center has increased significantly since last year. They are feeling anxious, depressed, fearful, and frustrate. They are struggling and need the hope and healing the Bridge offers,” Board President Susan Hamilton wrote in a letter that appeared in the program.
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 six shelters, three mental health clinics, a family resource and teen center, and other services for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
According to the Bridge, $268,000 was raised Saturday night.
WFSB meteorologist and co-host of “Better CT” Scot Haney returned for the 21st year as emcee and auctioneer. Honorary chairs were Robert and Tamara Laurie.
Mayor Shari Cantor and Michael Cantor. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Executive Director Margaret Hann. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Emcee and auctioneer Scot Haney. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Jessica and Dallas Dodge. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Board President Susan Hamilton and Paul Hamilton. Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022.
Bridge Family Center’s Annual Children’s Charity Ball. April 30, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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