‘Hope Grows’ Thanks to Funds Raised at Children’s Charity Ball
Audio By Carbonatix
From left: Curt Christensen, Kathy Christensen, Helen Rubino-Turco, and Paul Turco at at the 25th Bridge Family Center's Children's Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Bridge Family Center’s annual Children’s Charity Ball was held on Saturday night, March 9, 2024, at Farmington Gardens in Farmington.
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The mood was celebratory at Farmington Gardens in Farmington, as 230 guests gathered to support the work of the West Hartford-based Bridge Family Center at the Children’s Charity Ball.
This is the 25th anniversary of the Bridge holding a signature fundraising gala, and the pouring rain that fell throughout the evening didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance.
Rain was perhaps appropriate weather to complement this year’s theme.
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“The theme of this year’s ball is ‘Hope Grows Here,'” said Bridge Executive Director Margaret Hann. “We are so grateful to our guests sponsors and donors for helping us to grow hope in the lives of the children and families who seek our care.”
The event raised roughly $230,000, with more than $100,000 of that coming from sponsorships.
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hann said that last year the Bridge cared for more than 9,000 children and families in the Greater Hartford area. “The Ball celebrates the thousands of lives we have positively touched and reinforces the importance of our critical work,” she said previously. We are so grateful for the countless people who have supported our efforts for the past 25 years. Their generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure provide hope and healing to those who are struggling with life challenges and enable us to increase our span throughout the community.”
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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 and raffles, or raised their paddles for the “Changing Lives Challenge” – and 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.
Following dinner and the auction, guests danced to the music of the New York City-based band After Party.
WFSB meteorologist and co-host of “Better CT” Scot Haney returned for the 23rd year as emcee and auctioneer.
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bridge Family Center’s 25th annual Children’s Charity Ball. March 9, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.
