Gala CoChairs Rob & Meghan Cioffi of New Canaan, Joe & Nella Viesta of Stamford, Mary Ferrara and Joe Masanotti of Darien
STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way… a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities, held its benefit, The 10th Annual Galaxy of STARs Gala Dinner Dance and Auction at Woodway Country Club in Darien, Connecticut on Satuday, November 12, 2011. The record-breaking event was attended by over 200 guests in glamorous attire, and raised more than $270,000 for the agency's programs and services.
STAR President Ken Harrington-Howes hosted for the evening, along with Executive Director Katie Banzhaf and Auctioneer Kathy Kingston. Jim Wall, Deloitte's Global Managing Director, Talent and Chief Diversity Officer Emeritus was recognized at the gala for his extraordinary work on behalf of STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way. Attendees of the gala enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a live and silent auction that included an artist invitational of original, hand-painted cake plates. A stirring presentation about people with developmental disabilities was given by Alysa Mendelson Graf of Westport, Donna Carney of Norwalk, Brian Holstein of New Canaan, Robert Haines of Norwalk, Dr. Haik Kavookjian of New Canaan, Nancy Armstrong of Redding, and Talisha Maxwell of Norwalk.
Left to right: Bonnie Quigley and Jim Quigley, Senior Partner at Deloitte; Katie Banzhaf, Executive Director of STAR; Honoree Jim Wall, Deloitte's Global Managing Director, Talent and Chief Diversity Officer Emeritus with wife Susan; and Jack McFadden, Director of Communications at Deloitte.
Following the presentations, the live auction included several popular items such as a family vacation package in New York City, two VIP fantasy baseball packages (Red Sox and Yankees), a private VIP box and tickets for 20 to Cirque du Soleil's show, "Immortal", a Tuscany villa family vacation, a red carpet package to the 2012 Emmy Awards, a Holland America Alaskan cruise, an Anywhere-Around-the-World vacation, a kids' Florida family vacation, a South African photo safari and monthly desserts for a year from Pastry Chef Mary Shuler of Michael Joseph's Catering prepared together with STAR participants.
The gala committee chairpersons were Rob and Meghan Cioffi of New Canaan, Mary Ferrara and John Masanotti of Darien, and Joseph and Nella Viesta of Stamford.
Darien committee members are: Hilary and Carol Donegan, Peter and Katherine Gogolak, Ken and Beth Harrington-Howes, John and Polly Lowman, John Masanotti and Mary Ferrara, Patrick and Katrina O'Connor, Ed and Katherine Piorkowski, and Dan and Margaret Smith.
Jerry Ward, Dennis D'Amato of Norwalk, Norwalk State Representative Gail Lavielle, Sally D'Amato of Norwalk, Brenda Ward
New Canaan committee members are: Robert and Meghan Cioffi, Joan Dionne, Jason and Janie Konidaris and Todd and Julie Thompson.
Norwalk committee members are: Denny and Sally D'Amato, Robert and Gail Gonya, Annie Konidaris and James and Theresa Taylor.
Old Greenwich committee members are: David and Linda Shockley.
Stamford committee members are: Joseph and Nella Viesta.
Weston committee members are: Richard Batten and Mary McGee and Joseph and Cathleen Crowley-Piscitell.
Wilton committee members are: Barry and Judy Bosworth, John and Mary Lee Danaher, and Jack and Deborah McFadden.
Debra and State Senator Bob Duff
Westport committee members are: Miggs Burroughs, Mickey and Candace Herbst and Robert and Doree Levy.
The event was sponsored by David and Phyllis Komansky, Prospect Hill Foundation, Ted and Karen Walsh, The Nielsen Company, Joan F. Dionne Foundation, New Jersey Fund, Kesten-Brown Insurance, John and Mary Lee Danaher, Fairfield County Bank, J.H. Cohn, L.L.P., Tom and Trish O'Connor, Rob and Barbara Rosiello, Bill Scheffler and Ann Shaeffer, Dan and Margaret Smith, Epstein, Becker & Green, P.C., Estate of Ruth Krauss, Konidaris Family Foundation, The Pelletier Family, Santa Energy Corporation, AT&T Employees CWA Local 1298, Elaine Banzhaf, Guardian Life Insurance Company, MBI, Omnicare, Wells Fargo Financial Advisors, Moffly Media, Michael Joseph's Catering, The Bishop Group, Classic Graphics, Miggs B Design, PCI Creative Services, L.L.C., Hearst Media Services, and Wirth-Salander Ceramics.
Artists participating in the invitational project included Nina Bentley, Elise Black, Miggs Burroughs, Dana Cobb, Colleen Flannery Caceres, Lisa Floryshak-Windman, Leslie Giuliani, Eileen Grace, Jill Harrington-Nichols, Mark Polyakov, Martha Robinson, Zoe Hedstrom, Nash Hyon, Anne Jayson, Kathleen Lee (now of New York), Janet Luongo, Roger Mudre, Lela Philip, Mark Polyakov, Erin Riley, Jennifer Sabella, Kim Salander, Stacey Saraceni, Leslie Giuliani, Suzy Tarnowicz, Katie Banzhaf and Nancy Armstrong.
Proceeds will be used to support STAR’s programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families. The gala also celebrates the community of individuals with developmental disabilities leading full, productive and rewarding lives--filled with friendships, loving family relationships, productive employment or volunteer work and community activities.
STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization serving infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families. We create opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. We inform and encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals.
