Autism Gala Celebrates 25 Years of Friends, Family and Community
Summary
I will continue to dream about a future for my son that includes people who care about helping him to live a meaningful, productive life and the organizations that employ such people.” The evening also provided Eden with the opportunity to present its Friends of Eden Awards, which are given to organizations or individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary philanthropic and/or volunteer support for Eden’s mission.Event co-chairs Mark Berkowsky and Mary Anne Guarrieri thanked Dreams of Dreams Remembered Primary Sponsor Orphanides & Associates, along with Guardian Patron Sponsors Berkowsky and Associates; Bloomberg; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gina DelGiudice-Asch, MD & William Asch; Event FX; Fallen Angels Foundation; Thomas Gallina, the Savino group/Northwestern Mutual; Hyatt Regency Princeton; Cathy & Tom McCool; Munich Re; Novo Nordisk; the Olsen Foundation; Stewart Films; Turn-Key Environmental Services; UNITED; and Wawa.The focus of the evening was adult services and in honor of Eden’s milestone event, William Christopher (Father Mulcahy from the hit TV series MASH) served as Master of Ceremonies.On behalf of his fellow parents he thanked guests for attending and encouraged them to act upon what they had learned about the need for continued support of Eden.Statistics indicate that 1 in 88 American children are diagnosed with autism.2013 Visionary Award recipient Nora Orphanides has been supporting Eden for more than 25 years and served for many years on the steering committee for another Eden fundraiser, “Eden Evening on the Town.”Along with the awards presentation, the evening included a 5-course gourmet dinner; open bar; a silent auction featuring a limited number of distinctive prizes; the annual “Dream Search” – a theme-related mental puzzle associated with each year’s Eden Dreams gala; and the drawing of Eden’s 50/50 raffle.Event co-chairs Mark Berkowsky and Mary Anne Guarrieri thanked Dreams of Dreams Remembered Primary Sponsor Orphanides & Associates, along with Guardian Patron Sponsors Berkowsky and Associates; Bloomberg; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gina DelGiudice-Asch, MD & William Asch; Event FX; Fallen Angels Foundation; Thomas Gallina, the Savino group/Northwestern Mutual; Hyatt Regency Princeton; Cathy & Tom McCool; Munich Re; Novo Nordisk; the Olsen Foundation; Stewart Films; Turn-Key Environmental Services; UNITED; and Wawa.All proceeds from Eden Dreams benefit the children and adults served by Eden Autism Services.Since 1975, the not-for-profit Eden Autism Services has provided early intervention, education, employment training and residential services for children and adults with autism.