Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters will hold the ‘2020 Challenge,’ a virtual gala on Dec. 10, featuring Gov. Ned Lamont, ‘The Voice’ winner and West Hartford resident Javier Colon, Fox 61 Anchor Tim Lammers, and Bigs and Littles.

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Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters has announced that for the first time in its 54-year history, it will hold its annual gala virtually on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., featuring Governor Edward M. “Ned” Lamont and other celebrities, including winner of the inaugural season of “The Voice,” Javier Colon.

“Over the summer, we heard from a wide range of past Gala attendees,” said Andy Fleischmann. president and CEO of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. “They were unanimous in their desire to find a way to still hold their ‘favorite event of the year.’ Our Board and staff were in agreement. This online version will preserve all the key Gala elements: inspiring mentors and children, uplifting special guests and supporters, and a chance to appreciate all that our kids and their ‘Bigs’ are achieving. This online version of the gala – the 2020 Challenge – is an evening we believe will capture the wonderful feelings our guests have felt at past galas, without compromising anyone’s health or safety.”

Javier Colon. Courtesy image

Adding undeniable luster to the Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters 2020 Challenge are a constellation of celebrities with strong ties to the state’s communities. On hand will be musician, songwriter and singer Javier Colon. A native of Stratford and the winner of the first season of NBC’s “The Voice,” Colon, a longtime West Hartford resident, will entertain the virtual audience with his rendition of a song that has topped the charts in multiple decades.

Emceeing the event is South Windsor born and bred Tim Lammers, weekday news anchor for the Fox 61 Morning News. Over the years, Lammers has reported on Nutmeg and volunteered as host at a number of the organization’s events.

Offering well-chosen remarks and his congratulations to attendees will be the 89th Governor of the State of Connecticut, Edward M. “Ned” Lamont, Jr. A friend of the organization and a longtime advocate for children’s issues – both in his public and private life – Gov. Lamont was the recipient of a Visionary Leader Award at the 2019 Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Year Awards event.

Ryan Matthews, director of programs at Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, said, “With a lineup like Javier Colon, Governor Lamont, and Tim Lammers, our 2020 Challenge certainly has an abundance of star power. Yet, I like to think the real stars of the evening are the ‘Bigs’ (adult mentors) and ‘Littles’ (children being mentored), who event attendees will meet and get to know during the course of the evening. Mentors and mentees like Donovan Williams and his Little Brother Elijah, Jenn Pascal and her Little Sister Meladee, and Big Brother Michael Johnson and his Little Brother Zamarion. Our ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ are the backbone of our organization. They are its heart and soul. Their generosity of spirt, I believe, is immediately obvious. I can’t wait for attendees to see them in action.”

Tim Lammers. Courtesy image

“The Event Committee and I have been busy securing items for the Live Auction,” said Mariah Nolan, Nutmeg’s Development and Events manager. “I’m one hundred percent certain that everybody who joins us for the 2020 Challenge will be thrilled with the range of offerings we’ve assembled. I’m also happy to say that professional auctioneer and attendee-favorite Paul Stansel is back this year to preside over our Live Auction and Fund-the-Mission portion of the program. Our event is different this time around, and I see this as an opportunity. In years gone by, our galas were held at locations that could only accommodate a couple of hundred people. Now, because we’re going virtual, an unlimited number of people can take part in a unique night of fun, inspiration and surprises.”

For more information on the Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters 2020 Challenge, or for registration and sponsorship details, visit the website. Or, contact Mariah Nolan ([email protected]) at 781-844-6993.

Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the 116-year-old national youth mentoring organization. Based in Hartford, Nutmeg offers its life-changing programs to at-risk children in 132 of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities. Learn more about Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters by visiting www.nbbbs.org.

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