Ability Beyond’s Enchanted Forest Gala Raises $550,000

More than 450 Ability Beyond supporters journeyed to the “Enchanted Forest” to raise $550,000 for critical programs and services for 3,000 individuals with disabilities. The black-tie event held at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury on April 27, 2019 is the largest annual fundraiser hosted by Ability Beyond.

All proceeds from the gala will be used by the nonprofit organization to continue providing job training and placement, supported living, and recreational and educational opportunities to clients throughout Connecticut and New York’s lower Hudson Valley

Celebrity comedian Christine O’Leary once again entertained guests as the emcee for Lend A Hand, which allowed attendees to donate directly to the mission of Ability Beyond by raising their paddle during the live auction. Guests also enjoyed dinner, raffles, a silent auction, awards, dancing and musical entertainment provided by The Eturnity Band.

John Loehr accepted the Robert S. Young Humanitarian Award on behalf of the Ridgefield Sunrise Cottage leadership team and directors. This prestigious recognition honors the positive contributions the recipients have made to improve the quality of life of individuals living with development disabilities in the community.

Co-chairs of this year’s event were Joe and Sandy Clouse of Ridgefield, CT. Meghann Smith of New Canaan, CT served as the Gala Committee Chair.

“The Gala was an outstanding success thanks to the generosity of supporters and sponsors,” said Jane Davis, President and CEO of Ability Beyond. “We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, families and community partners who worked hard on this event and every day to fulfill our mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities.”

The evening was made possible thanks to many fine businesses, including Diamond sponsors Maplewood Senior Living, Colonial Automobile Group & the Beylouni Family, Platinum sponsors Aramark, Bedoukian Research, Mercer, Mulvaney Mechanical, Rose and Kiernan, Belimo, Linde, The Aiello Charitable Foundation, Alarm King and Willis Towers Watson plus a myriad of Gold, Silver and Bronze level sponsors.

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.

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.

PHOTO: from left: Jordan Young from Bridgewater CT, John Loehr from Ridgefield, CT, Ability Beyond President Jane Davis and Ridgefield First Selectmen Rudy Marconi from Ridgefield, CT were among the hundreds of guests at Ability Beyond’s annual gala fundraiser on April 27, 2019 in Danbury, Conn. Photo courtesy of Elaine & ChiChi Ubiña.