Page 8 - The Islander - April '23

Page 8, The Islander

nonProfit eventS

Hearts & Hands Gala Raises A Record $480,000

To Benefit Connections School For Autism

Local autism advocates helped raise $480,000 at the sold-out
Seventh Annual Hearts & Hands Gala in February to benefit the
Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches, a nonprofit
school for students with autism and related disorders.
Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception, live music from
students at the Lynn University Conservatory of Music, dinner,
dancing with the Krush Party Band, a silent auction and a
celebration of the progress students are making while attending
Connections. The event featured WPTV’s Michael Williams
as the master of ceremonies and a moving recognition of
this year’s special honorees who have made significant
contributions to the school’s mission of empowering students
and young adults with autism. Honorees included Debra Award presentation
Johnson of Wellington, Florentino Ortiz of Royal Palm Beach
and Rooney’s Golf Foundation. The event was held at the
National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach.
Proceeds from this year’s gala will help fund the school’s
one-of-a-kind aquatic program, which is designed to combat
the high rate of drowning among children with autism. The
school’s aquatic program is specifically adapted for children
with autism and has been recognized as a model by statewide
autism experts. Connections includes swim lessons in the
curriculum for all students.

Natalie Cuccioli, Frankie and Erwin Edenzon
for them and their families. We’re grateful for the community’s
Gala proceeds will also help fund the school’s full array support so that we can continue this important work.”
of academic and therapeutic programs for students ages 3 to To learn more about Connections, go to www.
22 as well as the Connections program for young adults with connectedpb.com.
autism who have aged out of the school system and need a About Connections
structured program. Connections is a nonprofit educational center that delivers
“It’s incredible to see the growing support for Connections,” high-quality, specialized instruction to students with autism in
says Debra Johnson, executive director and principal of Palm Beach County. They serve students ages 3 to 22 years and
Connections. “Every day, our students work so hard to gain offer an innovative program for young adults with autism. Learn
new skills and abilities, opening the door to more possibilities more at connectedpb.com.

Waltz, Salsa, Or Tango Your Way

To Cancer Alliance’s

‘Dance The Night Away’ 2023 Gala

Local Celebrities Compete

Emcee Michael Williams with Debra Johnson To Raise Funds For Local Cancer Patients

For the third year in a Dancing with the Stars along with one local celebrity judge
row, Cancer Alliance of Help will select the trophy winners.
& Hope (CAHH) will host Guests will enjoy cocktails from 6 to 6:45 p.m. followed
its “Dance the Night Away” by dinner and the dance competition which will begin at 7
Gala, as 13 local celebrities p.m. The evening will include a special performance from
put on their dancing shoes to International Ballroom Dancers, Craig Smith and Andrea
raise funds for needy qualified Harvey. Various awards from different categories will be
families dealing with cancer presented to the winners during the evening.
while they are undergoing The female participants in the Dance the Night Away
chemotherapy and/or radiation. dance competition include Diane Avonda, Victoria Herbert,
The Dance the Night Away Kerrie Lance, Gillian Lieberman, Kristina Olsen Madden,
2023 Gala, presented by The Janet Levy and Farley Gina Sabean, and Katherine Sheneman. The male contestants
Paola Herrera and Kelly Denise Scheffler and Stuart West Palm Beach Fred Astaire Rentschler. Photo by include Frank D’Agostino, Terry Duffy, Kyle Lucks, Joseph
Bastien Cohen Studio, will take place on Capehart McNamara, Rick Rose, and Bruce Sutka.
Saturday, April 15, at The Mar- Corporate sponsors of the event to date include CIBC
a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, beginning at 6 p.m. Chairs of this Private Wealth, Tiffany & Co. and Academy Nursing Health
electrifying event are Janet Levy and Farley Rentschler along Occupations.
with Honorary Chairs Max and Joseph McNamara. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and/or how
CAHH has selected some of the best dancers for Palm to purchase tickets visit www.cahh.org, email CEO Stanton
Beach County’s celebrity dance-off, and it will surely be Collemer at Scollemer@cahh.org, or call (561) 215-7360.
another sold-out event! Tickets are $750 each.
Thirteen local nonprofessional ballroom dancers will take About Cancer Alliance Of Help & Hope
private dance lessons from the Fred Astaire Studio to prepare Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, Inc. is a Palm Beach
for the competition and compete for Cancer Alliance’s 2023 County not-for-profit organization that eases the burden of
Top Female and Male Dancer. qualified local cancer patients by paying a portion of their
Tony Dovolani, a professional dancer from the acclaimed nonmedical bills, supplementing basic needs, and providing
TV show Dancing with the Stars, will once again serve as support and information resources. For more information about
the evening’s master of ceremonies. Three celebrity judges, Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, please visit CAHH.org.
including Cathy Rigby, actress and olympic gymnast and Louis
Laura Pope and David and Myra Kastor of Hamilton Jewelers van Amstel, national champion, and professional dancer with Nonprofit Events on page 9