Wilton Library’s Spring Gala on was a Big Success

Wilton Library’s Spring Gala, the organization’s biggest and most important fundraising event of the year, was held at Rolling Hills Country Club on Saturday, April 22, and it was a wonderful and successful evening in support of the library.

More than 185 guests attended the gala and auction, which celebrated both the library and spring with the theme “Imagination in Bloom.” Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and dancing to live music by Coverland Band, as well as bidding for silent and live auction items with the help of Tim Washer, Master of Ceremonies. A special paddle raise to support the Children’s Library and Teen Services was also one of the evening’s highlights.

The event honored Judy Higby, Kathy Leeds, Katharine Welling, and Malcolm Whyte for their many years of dedication and service to the library. They led a team formed 20 years ago who envisioned the library as a lifelong learning and cultural center for the entire Wilton community. Their efforts to create a welcoming and innovative library environment that would grow with the ever-changing needs of the community will benefit many generations to come.

“The “Imagination in Bloom” theme created a fun and energetic atmosphere for everyone to celebrate the library and support it to the fullest. Everyone was smiling and happy to gather together for this memorable night, all for a great cause. We are thrilled that we exceeded our fundraising goals for the night, and all proceeds from this event will directly support our incredible collections, programs, and services,” said Caroline Mandler, Executive Director of Wilton Library. “We are so thankful to all the guests who attended, our donors, sponsors, and advertisers who helped to make it all possible, and our dedicated Gala Committee and library staff who were so creative and committed to making this a successful event for the library.”

The evening was made possible in part by the generous support of our Field of Dreamers sponsors ASML and Carol Boehly and Paul Hannah; Flourishing Friends sponsors the Amadeo Family, Fairfield County Bank, Gregory and Adams, PC, and  Lynne and Paul Vanderslice; and Springtime Supporters ONS Wilton, PwC, Rob Sanders Architects, LLC, Servco Oil and Propane, Split Rock Aesthetic Institute, Stamford Health, Wilton Center Travel, and Wilton RE. The media sponsor for the event was GOOD Morning Wilton.

Co-Chairs Betsy Huffman (who designed the lovely themed decorations) and Mary Pytko led the Spring Gala Committee, which included Lianne Acosta-Rua, Sabeth Albert, Marty Avallone, Michelle Baronowski, Audrey Clark, Arlene Dolin, Mike Dugan, Jill Eaton, Tim Flanagan, Kathryn Groves, Nalini Hage, Jung Soo Kim, Juliette Leavey, Jen Longmire, Meredith Lorig, Joe Magnano, Marcia Marafioti, Penny Maxwell, Tyler McCue, Donna Peterson, Allison Gray Sanders, Maria Sonatore, Mike Sutka, and Patty Tomasetti.