Steve and Bonnie Smith of Shelton are being honored at The Kennedy Center 52nd annual Four Seasons Ball Nov. 5./ Contributed photo
This wonderful philanthropic evening to benefit The Kennedy Center's Residential Services will be held at the elegant Rolling Hills Country Club, 333 Hurlbutt St., Wilton.
This popular ball will recognize Tribute Journal honorees Nancy and Joe Dennin of Trumbull, and Bonnie and Steve Smith of Shelton.
Both couples have shown exceptional dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
In addition, they are both parents of a child with disabilities and have volunteered and supported The Kennedy Center for many decades.
Black tie optional and elegant attire is requested for one of the longest running charity galas in Fairfield County. Come enjoy this year’s dramatic theme, “Black & White.” Beginning at 7 p.m., enjoy a social hour with hors d’oeuvres, followed by a full-course dinner and dancing to the band Cracked Ice until midnight.
The ball is being spearheaded by co-chairs Michele Macauda and Richard Burke of Monroe.
Committee members are: Trumbull residents Vanessa Fahy, Nancy Dennin, and Martin D. Schwartz; Fairfield residents Corey Allen, Maryla Colandrea, and Anne Foley; Shelton residents Bonnie Smith and Dottie Kellersman; Jo Ann McMullan of Westport, Robin Berry of Monroe, Gina Ciliberto of Shelton, and Deb Kane of Derby.
Also playing a major leadership role, are Bill Purcell of the Naugatuck Valley and Elizabeth Capobianco of Milford, co-chairs of the Tribute Journal.
Members of the Tribute Journal include the following community leaders: Dan Long of Cheshire, Shelton residents Len Berger and Gina Ciliberto; Joe Giaccone of Danbury, Martin D. Schwartz of Trumbull, Jo Ann McMullan of Westport, and Deb Kane of Derby.
Proceeds from the ball will benefit The Kennedy Center’s residential services for people with disabilities, including: 16 group homes; a supported living option program, a family support and respite service, and the nationally recognized Caring for the Caregiver Program that offers support for parents of family members who are developmentally disabled.
Many sponsors have given generously to make this 52nd anniversary celebration special.
The Platinum Sponsors are Dorothy B. Larson of Fairfield, Michele Macauda and Richard Burke of Monroe, and People’s United Bank; Sapphire Sponsors are William and Gloria Paul Family Foundation, and R. D. Scinto, Inc. At the Emerald level are the Foley Family of Fairfield and Fairfield University. Merit Insurance and BlumShapiro are Ruby Sponsors.
The Dennins of Trumbull
The Dennins met in graduate school in 1963 in Madison, Wis. where Joe earned a MA and PhD in Mathematics and Nancy earned a MA in Mathematics.
Currently, Joe is in his 40th year as a math professor at Fairfield University. In 2005, the Fairfield University chapter of the American Association of Professors selected him as Colleague of the Year, and in 2011, honored him with a Lifetime Achievement award. He received a BA in Mathematics from the College of the Holy Cross.
Nancy is in her 10th year teaching math at St. Joseph High School after 26 years at New Canaan High School. Nancy received the Edythe M. Slyffe award from the Mathematics Association of America for Excellence in Teaching. She received a BA in Mathematics from Hunter College.
The Dennins have always been strong supporters of The Kennedy Center on many levels and were selected Volunteers of the Year in 2007. Joe is serving his third term on The Kennedy Center Board. He has served on many committees, including the Annual Meeting, Golf and Annual Giving Committees. Nancy chaired the decorating committee for the Cabaret in its beginning years.
The couple created Logoland for the Kennedy Center, whose purpose is to sell items with the agency logo and increase the visibility of The Kennedy Center in the community.
In addition, the Dennins are strong supporters of Special Olympics Connecticut and in 1999 were inducted into the SOCT Hall of Fame as winners of the Bozzuto Family Award. Both served nine years on the SOCT Board of Directors and are currently the local co-coordinators for the Trumbull Program. Joe serves as the Chairperson for the State Golf Committee. They have also served on the Westport Penguin Plunge and the Southwest Regional Qualifying Games. The Fairfield County Sports Commission presented Nancy with the 2007 SOCT Sportsperson of the year award.
Joe is on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress. While at New Canaan High School, Nancy coached the school mathematics team to three straight New England Championships. In the last millennium, with Joe as coach, the Danbury Debs twice won the Connecticut State fast pitch softball tournament and advanced to the finals of the New England regional.
The couple has four children: Peter (wife Katherine); Elizabeth (husband Chris); Michael (wife Jeni); and David, a client at The Kennedy Center; and 10 grandchildren.
The Smiths of Shelton
The Smiths met while both were students at Syracuse University. Since then, they have juggled demanding professional careers while raising a family and giving back to the community.
Their daughter, Alison, is a consumer of The Kennedy Center. They also have a son, Brian (wife Adrienne) and two grandsons.
Steve is currently a board member of The Kennedy Center and previously served as Board Chair. He chairs the Marketing Committee and has served on the Board Advisory, Long Range Strategic Planning, Nominating and Golf Committees.
Steve was on the organizing committee for the Special Olympics World Games in 1995 and subsequently served nine years on the Board of Directors of SOCT, two years as Board Chair. He received the Susan St. James Award for Leadership and has been inducted into the Special Olympics Connecticut Hall of Fame. In addition to a B.S. in Marketing from Syracuse, he holds an M.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has operated Smith & Company, Market Research Consultants for the past 30 years.
Bonnie has recently retired from the Savings Bank of Danbury where she was Vice President of Human Resources for the past 19 years.
She also spent nine years on the Board of Directors of SOCT where she chaired the Human Resources Committee. She has been inducted into the Shriver Society which recognizes individuals who are major supporters of the organization. Bonnie also serves on the Employer Advisory Committee for The Bridge to Independence and Career Opportunities which assists lower income women find meaningful employment. In 2015, she was named a Woman of FIRE by the Commercial Record which recognizes women in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate sectors who have made a difference in their community.
Bonnie has volunteered at the Kennedy Center’s Autism SpectRUN and served on the committee for the Four Seasons Ball.
In addition to a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse, Bonnie also holds an M.S. in Counseling and Human Resources from the University of Bridgeport.
Tickets for the Four Seasons Ball are $200 per person and may be ordered online at www.thekennedycenterinc.org.
For more information, call 203-365-8522, Ext. 213.
This is a press release from the Kennedy Center.
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