First Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation Awards to Honor Branford Resident

The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation invites the public to its 2024 “Human Spirit Awards Dinner”, paying tribute to individuals and organizations that inspire others to make a difference in their communities and in our world. This inaugural event will be held on Saturday, November 9th from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Hartford Marriott Downtown at 200 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was established to continue the legacy of love and kindness of the beloved longtime broadcaster by raising funds and donating them to a wide variety of entities. Tickets for the dinner are $150 per person and are available now at www.TheDeniseFoundation.com

This memorable event will celebrate the late TV anchor and Branford resident Denise D’Ascenzo’s Legacy of Openness, Courage and Kindness, and recognize those who have exemplified these qualities in their lives. The hope is to inspire others to make a difference as well.

Event guests will enjoy a delicious sit-down dinner, heartfelt comments and thoughts, and the presentation of The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation’s “2024 Human Spirit Awards” to the following (in alphabetical order):

· Lesley Bennett of Branford;
· The Bristol Police Department;
· Jalyn Hunter;
· Dr. William Petit Jr.; and
· Dave Stevens.

In addition, the Foundation’s new “2024 Kindness Award” will be bestowed Posthumously to Dan Nolan.

The evening masters of ceremonies will be The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation’s President Dennis House of WTNH-TV 8 and Foundation Vice President Kara Sundlun of WFSB-TV 3, among others. The event also will feature a wide variety of auction and raffle prizes.

Lesley Bennett of Branford – An inspirational advocate for the rare disease community, Lesley has worked with families who have sought medical attention for their children. Her advocacy led to the formation of a State Rare Disease Council, in an effort to put these diseases on a public website where the information can be accessed. This Council will help to build public awareness, education, and training, and expand available resources.

The first-ever Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation Kindness Award will be presented to the late Dan Nolan – Throughout his life, Dan Nolan exemplified a kind and giving spirit, whether with children and families in Afghanistan and Iraq, or with friends in need here in Connecticut. Dan is remembered as a person who was passionate about making a positive impact in any way that he could. A U.S. Army veteran, Dan joined the military upon graduation from Windsor High School and served in the Connecticut National Guard for 38 years. He was a lifelong member of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury and a second-generation firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, joining the Hartford Fire Department in 1984. He was one of the many local firefighters who served at Ground Zero at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attack. Like Denise D’Ascenzo, Dan passed unexpectedly this past March 1st, and he is dearly missed.

About The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation: Denise D’Ascenzo was a beloved anchor at WFSB Channel 3 for 33 years until her sudden death on December 7, 2019. At the time, she was the longest serving news anchor at any single Connecticut television station and an Emmy-award winning journalist many times over. Soon after her passing, many of her family, friends and co-workers created a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation in Denise’s name. Its mission is to continue her legacy of love and kindness by supporting advances in medicine and health, promoting responsibility in the media, and assisting those facing physical and mental challenges.

The volunteer Board raises funds through events that include its golf tournaments, the annual springtime Walk to Fight Rare Diseases at Quinnipiac University, and this signature Human Spirit Awards Dinner. Since its establishment in early 2020, the Foundation has raised funds and made numerous donations to community organizations and causes that include Hartford HealthCare nursing staff, the Connecticut Food Bank, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), The ALS Association, the Yale New Haven Children's Hospital’s Toy Closet Program, Brian’s Hope, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Down’s Syndrome Association, Ronald McDonald House, Tiny Miracles Foundation, Dress for Success, Ability Media, Circle of Care, Andrew’s Ohana Foundation, Kenway’s Cause Animal Rescue, Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Bristol Adult Resource Center, In Focus, Hartford Hospital Auxiliary, and Mary’s Place, A Center for Grieving Children and Families – all made possible by corporate and community support and participation in our events, or through telethons hosted by WFSB-TV 3.

Tickets for the Saturday, November 9th dinner at the Hartford Marriott Downtown are $150 per person and are available now at www.TheDeniseFoundation.com

►If you have questions or seek more information about the event, contact David Condon at 203-231-2539 or david.condon@dnsassociates.com

For information about The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.TheDeniseFoundation.com or The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation, P.O. Box 444, Branford, CT 06405.