The Bridge Family Center’s 16^th Annual Children’s Charity Ball will be held on Jan. 17, 2015.

Scene from the 2014 Children’s Charity Ball. Submitted photo

Submitted by The Bridge Family Center

The 2015 Children’s Charity Ball, hosted by the Bridge Family Center, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at the Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford.

The theme of this year’s annual event is “Light Up A Life,” echoing the mission of the Bridge, “to foster the courage and strength in children and families to meet life’s challenges and build fulfilling lives.” The 2014 ball raised a record $275,000, and organizers are hoping for another successful event.

The ball is coordinated by more than 25 volunteers who transform the Hartford Golf Club into a magical setting, delighting attendees year after year. The black-tie event for 375 guests will feature dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, and a raffle, all lit-up under a sky of cream, white, and champagne paper lanterns.

Channel 3 Meteorologist and Co-Host of “Better CT” Scot Haney will return as emcee for the evening, and guests will dance to the live music of the Timmy Maia Band.

Funds raised at the event will be used to support struggling children and families in the Greater Hartford area, which in 2014 served approximately 7,100 people across the region with shelter, counseling, parent education, and many other services.

“The annual Children’s Charity Ball plays a vital role in how we help our community,” said Judy Bierly, director of Community Services and Communications. “The Ball’s increasing success directly impacts our ability to serve our neighbors in need and for that we are grateful to our sponsors and our many supporters.”

Matt Winter and Jane Lehman, Allstate Insurance Company, will be the Honorary Chairs for the 2015 Children’s Charity Ball.  Matt is the president of The Allstate Corporation and chief executive officer of the Allstate Life Insurance Company.  Jane is on the Bridge Board of Directors.

United Technologies is a Galaxy Sponsor; The McInerney Family is a Diamond Sponsor; and Reid & Riege, Robinson and Cole, eBenefits Group Northeast, Farmington Company, UTC Aerospace Systems, and All Waste are Sapphire Sponsors  for the gala.

The Bridge Family Center was founded in 1969 to meet the needs of West Hartford community youth.  Over the years, the Bridge expanded its outreach efforts to develop programs in partnership with local schools.  Today they are a comprehensive, regional nonprofit agency offering a broad range of services to children, youth, and families in the Greater Hartford area. For tickets and information, see the Bridge website at www.bridgefamilycenter.org or call them at 860.521.8035.