WILTON, CONNECTICUT – Circle of Care, a Wilton-based organization celebrating ten years providing direct emotional, practical and financial assistance to families affected by childhood cancer, has announced that its fall gala, “Celebrating 10...Roaring to 20”, will take place Saturday evening, November 15, at Dolce in Norwalk. Martha Borrero and Jeff Salguero of Wilton are serving as Co-Chairs of the gala. From a single program 10 years ago, to a total of six programs today, Circle of Care has reached over 1,700 families, delivering 1,500 Bags Of Love, transforming 53 rooms through Art from the Heart and providing over $500,000 in direct financial support – more money than any other organization in Connecticut.
“We started this organization because we know how hard the journey through treatment is for children and families, and we wanted to ease the burden,” said Circle of Care President Liz Salguero about the organization she founded with treasurer Dawn Ladenheim. “Ten years ago, our sons Dan and Carlos were in treatment for pediatric cancer, so we have a unique perspective on the kind of support services that can make a difference,” said co-founder Dawn Ladenheim of Wilton.
Several silent auction items will be available for purchase, followed by a brief live auction, and a special drive to raise funds to provide direct financial support to families of children with cancer. About 250 people are expected to enjoy an evening of “Roaring 20s” Big Band sounds, along with festive food and drinks. Tickets are $200 each and can be purchased through the Circle of Care website at www.thecircleofcare.org.
Gala co-chairs Jeff Salguero and Martha Borrero of Wilton said that the event will be unlike the typical auction fundraiser. “This is not going to be a sit-down at a table kind of event, says Borrero. “We want to keep the energy going; it will very much be a club feel throughout the evening with a really rocking band.”
The theme for the event came from the evolution of Circle of Care itself. “We started with this notion of celebrating ten years, but also looking forward full steam ahead toward the next ten. That lead to thinking of roaring to twenty,” Salguero says. “It was an interesting play on words about a fun, celebratory era. This is not a costume party, though; the idea is simply to borrow the energy and vibe associated with that time to raise some much-needed funds to support families.”
About Circle of Care
For 10 years, Circle of Care has earned a reputation as reliable and consistent providers of practical, financial and emotional support, directly to children with cancer and their families, at every stage of treatment: from diagnosis to recovery. Circle of Care’s unique combination of programs addresses the non-medical needs of children with cancer, like Bags of Love, which provides everyday essentials to ease the burden of what is often immediate hospitalization, or Lifeline, a support network that connects survivor families with newly diagnosed ones. Art from the Heart is a program that gives children undergoing lengthy hospital treatments, which can last several weeks, something to look forward to – a total room makeover – conducted by students working with volunteer designers. Circle of Care’s heralded Volunteer program helps provide welcome diversions during the long hours of treatment. Circle of Care also provides much-needed Emergency Funds to help cover out-of-pocket costs, pay for financial emergencies like overdue mortgages or utility bills, so that no family has to choose between caring for a sick child and providing for their family. For more information, visit www.thecircleofcare.org.