Lauretti donates $5,000 from golf classic to Kennedy Center in Trumbull

Mayor Mark Lauretti of Shelton, right, presents Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center in Trumbull with a check from the Mayor’s Annual Charity Golf Classic./ Contributed photo

 

SHELTON - Mayor Mark A. Lauretti recently surprised the Kennedy Center with a big donation over the holiday season with proceeds from his annual charity golf tournament.

 

“We want to personally thank Mayor Lauretti and the supporters of his golf tournament for their generous donation to The Kennedy Center,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO. “This substantial contribution has been earmarked for general operating expenses, which will benefit the 2,000 people with disabilities we serve throughout the region.”

 

Lauretti added, “I have been involved with The Kennedy Center for several decades. This major rehabilitation agency provides people with disabilities many employment and community resources throughout the region, including in Shelton. In fact, several years ago, I hired an outstanding Kennedy Center worker in my office at City Hall.  

"I am honored to provide this worthwhile organization with a $5,000 donation from the Mayor’s Golf Tournament, so they can continue helping others.”

 

The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves more than 2,000 individuals annually. 

The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years.

 

The Kennedy Center operates 31 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs. 

 

For more information visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org.

Kennedy Center to display artwork at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

“Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.”
- Vincent Van Gogh

DERBY - Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Kellogg Environmental Center is privileged to display the works of 16 talented artists from the Kennedy Center, Trumbull.

The Kennedy Center is a private, not-for-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that supports individuals with disabilities.

Kellogg Environmental Center will host an opening from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 where the public is welcome to attend and meet the artists.

The exhibit will be on display through June 12.

Many artists at The Kennedy Center are influenced by nature and their artwork often portrays this unique view of the world around them.

This show was inspired by vibrant, imaginative ecosystems that often come to life through the artwork: the heron emerging from behind the grass, the majestic mountains standing proudly, and the wild, blooming flowers.

Some artwork is inspired by their own communities and the Connecticut scenery, others reflect a broader, more global scope. These adult artists, each one a resident of Connecticut, have shown us their own eclectic interpretations of the things that one may take for granted. By enhancing the natural elements with bold color, detailed line, and provocative compositions, the images on the surface are given new life. Their artwork blossoms with possibility and invites the viewer to experience their world.

Artists participating in this special display are: Charles Best, Barbara Cobb, Ryan Curl, Michael Donahue, Alice DuBois, William DuBois, Ryan Gall, James Graves, Teresa Kiraly, Carolyn Kordish, Meghan McCormack, Marie Merceron, John Mitchell, Michael Oprendek, Maria Santiago, and Debra Willis.

The Kennedy Center promotes optimal participation and inclusion in the community by offering innovative, comprehensive services. One way that this is accomplished is through the expressive arts.

By collaborating with local centers and organizations, the diverse talents of individuals with disabilities can be witnessed in an inclusive, creative space.

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There is no charge.

Call the Kellogg Environmental Center, 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov for further information or directions.

For more information about the Kennedy Center and its services, visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org.


This is a press release from Connecticut DEEP.

Kennedy Center to recognize volunteers from Shelton, Trumbull at annual gala

Steve and Bonnie Smith of Shelton are being honored at The Kennedy Center 52nd annual Four Seasons Ball Nov. 5./ Contributed photo

            

This year’s 52nd Annual Four Seasons Ball Nov. 5 will feature double the fun when two extraordinary couples will be honored.
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.

Seymour High School student wins scholarship at charity golf classic

A total of 17 junior golfers from 12 communities recently were awarded scholarships at The Kennedy Center 25th Annual Charity Golf Classic. Selection is based upon academic achievement, school and community leadership, and golf proficiency. Martin D. Schwartz, right, President/CEO of The Kennedy Center, presented Seymour High School student Hunter Cripps with a scholarship at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk. / Contributed photo

            

NORWALK  - This year’s Kennedy Center Charity Golf Classic was full of many milestones.  
Not only did we commemorate our Silver Anniversary with over 25 years of great golfing memories, but we celebrated 25 years of helping people with disabilities as well as inspiring our junior golfers who play annually in the tournament. 
Nearly 90 golfers swung their clubs for charity in one of the only tournaments in the state where junior golfers play with an adult foursome. 

This tournament teed off at Shorehaven Golf Club and raised over $32,700 for underfunded programs provided by The Kennedy Center. 
Since its inception, the tournament has contributed more than $638,000 for the benefit of children and adults with disabilities in the community to live a productive and fulfilling life. 

A total of 17 junior golfers from 12 communities were awarded scholarships based upon academic achievement, school and community leadership, and golf proficiency. Junior golfers aged 15 through 18 played for free in this scramble-format, 18-hole classic. In total, nearly 500 junior golfers from Connecticut have received more than $240,000 in scholarship money. 

The Junior Scholarship and Title Sponsors of the Silver Anniversary of the Classic were the families of Diane Thompson and Chip Carpenter of Sandy Hook, and Julie and Doug Conley of Olney, Md., in memory of Fred and Fran Ahlbin. 
Other major sponsors deserving credit for their generosity included: Merit Insurance in Shelton as the Presenting Sponsor; R.D. Scinto, Inc. in Shelton as the Championship Sponsor; All American Waste, Donahue& Brown, LLC in Fairfield, The Hartford Insurance, and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of CT, all Invitational Sponsors; and People’s United Bank as the Golf Ball Sponsor. 
Co-chairs of the golf classic were Trumbull residents Stephen Donahue and Sean Carroll. The Probus Club also provided invaluable volunteer support.   
“This Greater Bridgeport civic organization assists organizations that serve people with disabilities and has a proud history of helping The Kennedy Center in many ways for over two decades,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center. 

2,400 served each year
The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves 2,400 individuals annually. 
The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. 
The Kennedy Center operates 31 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs.   
Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information. The following area high school students (listed alphabetically by community) received junior golf scholarships in this year’s Kennedy Center Charity Golf Classic:

Bethel                         Spencer Olson

                                   

Monroe                       Emma Breyan

               Emily Hammer

                                   Kyle Immel

New Canaan               Tessa Piontkowski

Newtown                     Colin Patrick

                                   

North Haven              Sophie Velez

Seymour                     Hunter Cripps

Trumbull                     Alexa Brown

                                   Grace McLean

Weston                       Halley Melito

                                   Tyler Melito

                                               

Westport                     Anelise Browne 

                                    B.K. Browne 

                                    Noah Lomnitz

                                                            

Wilton                         Nora Noel Nolan        

                                               

Woodbury                   Anthony Eanniello


This is a press release from The Kennedy Center.