American Dream Awards to Require Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID-19 Test to Attend

The New American Dream Foundation Inc. (TNADF) announced today that it would require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to attend its 2021 American Dream Awards: "Honoring our Covid-19 Warriors". The decision comes on the heels of the dramatic surge in Covid-19 cases as the Delta variant spreads throughout Fairfield County and the entire state of Connecticut.

For children under 12, people with a medical condition or closely-held religious belief that prevents vaccination; guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event start time or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the gala start time.

According to the indoor mask order issued by the City of Danbury on August 15, 2021, all individuals shall be required to wear masks or cloth face coverings at all times while in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Therefore guests will also be asked to wear masks or cloth face coverings during the event, except when seated and eating or drinking.

"Our hope is that our pro-active stance will encourage all those who can to do the right thing and get vaccinated," said Celia Palmares, TNADF President. "We want the gala to be a celebration of all the work that has been done and the work that is yet to be done in the fight against COVID-19. This is our new normal – safety and public health must be our first and foremost concern if we want to continue to move forward as a community."

The 7th Annual American Dream Awards Gala will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021, at 5:30 PM at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. The event is presented by Ingersoll Auto of Danbury and in partnership with the City of Danbury with the theme "Six Feet Apart – Closer Than Ever: Honoring our COVID-19 Warriors."

TNADF's COVID-19 Hot Meal Program inspired the theme. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the program has served children, families, and seniors in Danbury with over 23,000 meals purchased at cost from The Amber Room Colonnade, the official venue for its annual gala.

The award ceremony features the following six categories selected by The New American Dream Foundation in partnership with the City of Danbury:

·  COVID WARRIOR – awarded to an individual that has led the fight against COVID-19 in our community. Honoree: Former Mayor Mark D. Boughton 

·  COMMUNITY WARRIOR – an institution that has invested in the battle against the virus.

Honoree: Union Savings Bank and Union Savings Bank Foundation

·  HEALTH CARE WARRIOR – an individual or an institution on the front lines in the battle against the virus. Honoree: Nuvance Health and Dr. John Murphy

·  EDUCATION WARRIOR – an individual or an institution that has gone above and beyond to support students.  Honoree: Park Avenue Elementary School & Principal David Krafick

· SENIOR'S WARRIOR – an individual that has gone above and beyond to support seniors. Honoree: Anne Roby and Larry Dodd

· YOUNG WARRIOR – an individual under 16 years old that sprang into action. Honoree: Frankie DeMunda 

"We ask the community to support our cause and join us as we safely celebrate remarkable members of our community who embody the struggles and triumphs we all experienced during the pandemic," said Emanuela Palmares, TNADF Vice-president.

 

Tickets are $125.00 per person and include a cocktail hour, followed by a three-course dinner, cash bar, and the American Dream Awards ceremony, filled with inspiring stories about our community and its resilience despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ticket sales will benefit The New American Dream Foundation Hot Meal Program and Mission Health Day – a day of free health screenings and other community services for the uninsured and the income challenged, hosted by Nuvance Health.

To buy tickets, tables, and ads in the event booklet, visit www.americandreamgala.com.

A portion of the gala's ticket cost is tax-deductible.

For more information on where you can get vaccinated, please click here.

For more information on where you can get tested, please click here.

 

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Submitted by New Fairfield, CT

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