An Evening in the Garden Charity Gala Supports Ability Beyond

When the idea for Ability Beyond was planted by a small group of Connecticut parents more than 60 years ago; they could only dream it would grow to become a model program for  people with disabilities. Today, with over 3,000 adults across New York and Connecticut benefiting from services, the nonprofit is at the forefront of developing innovative programs and best practices that are being recognized and adopted on a national level.

“Ability Beyond has pioneered ways to help people with physical and mental disabilities to discover their full potential and become an integral part of their communities,” said Jane Davis, President and CEO of Ability Beyond. “Our new exciting venture is becoming leaders in creating state of the art environments for those aging with disabilities to address a rapidly growing part of our population.”

In support of their efforts, the organization will be holding an “An Evening in the Garden” gala on Saturday April 29, 2017 at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury, Connecticut. The annual gala is Ability Beyond’s largest fundraising event, attracting close to 600 guests each year. The money raised will allow Ability Beyond to continue to provide critical supports to those in Fairfield, New Haven, Litchfield, and Hartford counties in Connecticut and Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties in New York. 

The black-tie evening will feature both silent and live auctions, raffles, dinner and awards and dancing. Musical entertainment will be provided by Nik and the Nice Guys. The co-chairs of this year’s event are Jim and Laura Kennedy. The Kennedy’s have a long history of supporting Ability Beyond and Jim has recently become a member of the Board of Trustees.

Gregory Smith, another long-time supporter of Ability Beyond, will receive the Robert S. Young Humanitarian award. This award is given by the Young Family in memory of Robert S. Young, an early member of the Board of Directors of Ability Beyond.

The local business community is showing its support through sponsorship of the event. Diamond Sponsors, the highest level available, include Colonial Automobile Group, Maplewood Senior Living, and Pepsi.

The gala will be held at the Amber Room located at 1 Stacey Rd from 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm. For ticket information, please contact Meaghan Gilmore at (203)826-3019.

Through innovative community job training and placement, supported living, and recreational and educational opportunities, Ability Beyond helps thousands of people with disabilities each year, to live full and rewarding lives. Ability Beyond has headquarter facilities in Bethel, CT and Chappaqua, NY. Its network of over 100 community based residential programs spreads throughout western CT and the Hudson Valley region. Other satellite locations providing day and employment services are located in Norwalk, Guilford and Plainville, CT.

Ability Beyond is a 501{c} (3) organization headquartered in Bethel, Conn. and Chappaqua, N.Y. 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 far beyond the Danbury community into much of Connecticut and the Hudson Valley, New York. For more information about Ability Beyond go to www.abilitybeyond.org.

PHOTO: The annual gala hosted by nonprofit Ability Beyond will be held on April 29 in Danbury. The event raises funds to support programs for those with disabilities and recognizes outstanding volunteers. 

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Submitted by New Fairfield, CT

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