This year’s 52nd Annual Four Seasons Ball will feature double the fun when two extraordinary couples will be honored.
Save the date of Saturday, November 5 for this wonderful philanthropic evening to benefit The Kennedy Center’s Residential Services. The elegant Rolling Hills Country Club, 333 Hurlbutt Street, Wilton will serve as the beautiful backdrop for the evening’s festivities.
This popular ball will recognize Tribute Journal honorees Nancy and Joe Dennin of Trumbull, and Bonnie and Steve Smith of Shelton.
Both couples have shown exceptional dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. In addition, they are both parents of a child with disabilities and have volunteered and supported The Kennedy Center for many decades.
Black tie optional and elegant attire is requested for one of the longest running charity galas in Fairfield County. Come enjoy this year’s dramatic theme, “Black & White.” Beginning at 7 p.m., enjoy a social hour with hors d’oeuvres, followed by a full-course dinner and dancing to the band Cracked Ice until midnight.
The ball is being spearheaded by co-chairs Michele Macauda and Richard Burke of Monroe. Ball committee members are: Trumbull residents Vanessa Fahy, Nancy Dennin, and Martin D. Schwartz; Fairfield residents Corey Allen, Maryla Colandrea, and Anne Foley; Shelton residents Bonnie Smith and Dottie Kellersman; Jo Ann McMullan of Westport, Robin Berry of Monroe, Gina Ciliberto of Shelton, and Deb Kane of Derby.
Also playing a major leadership role, are Bill Purcell of the Naugatuck Valley and Elizabeth Capobianco of Milford, co-chairs of the Tribute Journal. Members of the Tribute Journal include the following community leaders: Dan Long of Cheshire, Shelton residents Len Berger and Gina Ciliberto; Joe Giaccone of Danbury, Martin D. Schwartz of Trumbull, Jo Ann McMullan of Westport, and Deb Kane of Derby.
Proceeds from the ball will benefit The Kennedy Center’s residential services for people with disabilities, including: 16 group homes; a supported living option program, a family support and respite service, and the nationally recognized Caring for the Caregiver Program that offers support for parents of family members who are developmentally disabled.
Many sponsors have given generously to make this 52nd anniversary celebration special. The Platinum Sponsors are Dorothy B. Larson of Fairfield, Michele Macauda and Richard Burke of Monroe, and People’s United Bank; Sapphire Sponsors are William and Gloria Paul Family Foundation, and R. D. Scinto, Inc. At the Emerald level are the Foley Family of Fairfield and Fairfield University. Merit Insurance and BlumShapiro are Ruby Sponsors.
The Smiths of Shelton
The Smiths met while both were students at Syracuse University. Since then, they have juggled demanding professional careers while raising a family and giving back to the community. Their daughter, Alison, is a consumer of The Kennedy Center. They have a son, Brian (wife Adrienne) and two grandsons.
Steve is currently a board member of The Kennedy Center and previously served as Board Chair. He chairs the Marketing Committee and has served on the Board Advisory, Long Range Strategic Planning, Nominating and Golf Committees.
Steve was on the organizing committee for the Special Olympics World Games in 1995 and subsequently served nine years on the Board of Directors of SOCT, two years as Board Chair. He received the Susan St. James Award for Leadership and has been inducted into the Special Olympics Connecticut Hall of Fame. In addition to a B.S. in Marketing from Syracuse, he holds an M.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has operated Smith & Company, Market Research Consultants for the past 30 years.
Bonnie has recently retired from the Savings Bank of Danbury where she was Vice President of Human Resources for the past 19 years. She also spent nine years on the Board of Directors of SOCT where she chaired the Human Resources Committee. She has been inducted into the Shriver Society which recognizes individuals who are major supporters of the organization. Bonnie also serves on the Employer Advisory Committee for The Bridge to Independence and Career Opportunities which assists lower income women find meaningful employment. In 2015, she was named a Woman of FIRE by the Commercial Record which recognizes women in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate sectors who have made a difference in their community.
Bonnie has volunteered at the Kennedy Center’s Autism SpectRUN and served on the committee for the Four Seasons Ball. In addition to a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse, Bonnie also holds an M.S. in Counseling and Human Resources from the University of Bridgeport.
Tickets for the Four Seasons Ball are $200 per person and can be ordered online at www.thekennedycenterinc.org. For more information, call 203.365.8522, Ext. 213.
