Ability Beyond Reinvents Annual Fundraiser as Virtual No Go Gala

Each year, Ability Beyond relies on the proceeds from its elegant black-tie gala to provide a hopeful future for more than 3,000 individuals with disabilities served by the nonprofit organization. Due to this year’s unprecedented pandemic, the “2020 and Beyond” Gala has been reinvented as the “No Go Gala”. The newly designed virtual fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 via a livestream webcast from 6 to 7 p.m.; however, donations are being accepted and strongly encouraged now through the big event day.

“We are facing incomprehensible needs brought on by COVID-19 and have taken aggressive actions to prevent its spread, protect our residents and staff, and abide by mandated safety precautions,” said Jane Davis, President and CEO of Ability Beyond. “The next two months alone are expected to be a historical challenge, as the financial hardship for Ability Beyond is estimated to be over $5 million.”

Guests are invited to join the celebration and contribute from the comfort of their own homes by tuning into a live, online Giving Hour hosted by popular comedian Christine O’Leary who is once again lending her talents. The virtual event will include a video message from Jane Davis, compelling vignettes from participants in various Ability Beyond programs and public recognition of all previous and night-of donors. On-site event workers will also be updating a huge visual thermometer to track the event’s success in real time.

By logging onto www.AbilityBeyond.GiveSmart.com, attendees can purchase a virtual ticket for $250, a table for $2,500, as well as contribute to numerous “Lend a Hand” levels which equate to the following organization benefits:

$25,000 – provides handicap accessible housing upgrades for aging individuals with disabilities $15,000- affords occupational therapy for people with Acquired Brain Injury

$10,000- supports advanced skills training for direct care staff

$7,500- buys medical supplies for people with specialized medical needs

$5,000- enables job training for Developmentally Disabled individuals

$2,500- provides Support and Recovery services for those struggling with addiction and Mental Health Disorders

$1,000- bestows transportation to work and volunteer activities for people with Developmental Disabilities

$500- allows access to assistive technology for people with Cerebral Palsy

$250- delivers music therapy classes for youth adults with Autism

$100- buys a birthday celebration at one of Ability Beyond’s Residential Programs

“Monetary donations are vitally needed at this moment to allow us to provide the breadth of service our families rely on for their loved ones in our programs,” explains Davis. “Under normal circumstances, the generosity of gala attendees is crucial to continuing our mission. Without the same level of support, our organization’s capacity may be significantly reduced in more ways than we can possibly comprehend.”

The gala has always been Ability Beyond’s largest fundraising event of the year, attracting close to 500 guests each year. The money raised allows the organization to continue providing critical services to clients in Connecticut and Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties in New York. For over 60 years, Ability Beyond has led the way in providing independent housing, day programs, and award-winning employment initiatives that support and honor the dignity of people with developmental, intellectual, autism spectrum and mental health disabilities.

Robert S. Young Humanitarian Award honorees Paula & Jack Walsh will postpone their official recognition until the 2021 Gala. In addition to serving as life-long volunteers, the couple are the son and daughter-in-law of Ability Beyond founders, Jack and Mary Walsh—loving parents whose vision became the organization’s history. The prestigious award honors the positive contributions the recipients have made to improving the quality of life of individuals living with development disabilities in the community.

The co-chairs of this year’s event are Kathy & Steve Finkelstein and Meghann Smith will once again serve as Committee Chair.

The evening is made possible thanks to the generosity of many fine businesses, including Diamond Sponsors Maplewood Senior Living and Colonial Automobile Group of Danbury, Platinum Sponsors Aramark, Bedoukian Research, Belimo, Mercer, Mutual of America, Rose & Kiernan Inc. and Synchrony Financial, plus many Gold, Silver and Bronze level supporters.

Ability Beyond is a 501{c} (3) organization headquartered in Bethel, CT and Chappaqua, NY. It provides a wide range of services for over 3,000 people with a disability that inhibits their activities of daily living -- including numerous residential alternatives, employment training, career counseling, job placement services, cognitive and life skills instruction, clinical and therapeutic support, and volunteer and recreational activities. Today, its services extend throughout Connecticut and New York’s lower Hudson Valley. For more information about Ability Beyond go to www.AbilityBeyond.org. To support the No-Go Gala, visit www.AbilityBeyond.GiveSmart.com.

PHOTO: The annual fundraiser gala hosted by nonprofit Ability Beyond to support programs for people with disabilities has been reinvented as the virtual “No Go Gala” on April 25, 2020. Pictured from last year’s in-person Gala Fundraiser are Jordan Young of Wilton, John Loehr of Ridgefield, Jane Davis, President & CEO of Ability Beyond and First Selectman of Ridgefield Rudy Marconi. Photo courtesy of Elaine & ChiChi Ubiña.