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ACES Education Foundation’s 16th Annual Gala

The ACES Education Foundation 16th annual Gala, the largest fundraising event of the year for the non-profit organization, is going to be held on Thursday, March 28 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.

“The ACES Education Foundation Gala is the highlight of our year for many reasons,” said Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, Ed.D., chief of marketing and outreach for ACES and organizer of the event for the foundation. “The ACES Education Foundation exists to support the educational purposes of ACES; advance the educational programs, plans, and goals of ACES; educate the public about ACES mission and the services it offers; and fundraise on behalf of ACES in order to support its programs. This event enables us to carry out programs and activities that otherwise, would not be possible.”

Rossetti-Ryan said she anticipates more than 300 attendees at the gala, including representatives from corporate sponsors, community partners, families, staff, and board members. Every year, the foundation honors key people and organizations who support ACES’s mission. This year’s honorees include Jeff Hubbard, Key Bank; community arts partners and former ACES Administrators Sharyn Esdaile, Bob Parker, and Bitsie Clark, who helped ACES in its efforts to secure the Little Theatre in New Haven; and ACES Educational Center for the Arts alumnus and current WTNH-TV traffic anchor Alyssa Rae Taglia.

The ACES Education Foundation, which was formed in 2003, raised more than $113,000 via last year’s gala and of that amount awarded $90,500 in grants and $10,000 “Fund-A-Need” initiatives.

Besides food and drink, the gala is packed full of activities such as a live auction, silent auction, and raffle. There are many ways to support the event and its purpose, whether someone can attend the gala or not. Tickets are $100 and available online by visiting https://e.givesmart.com/events/c34.

To become a sponsor for the 16th annual ACES Educational Foundation Gala, contact Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan at erossetti-ryan@aces.org. To get more information or donate an item, contact esein@aces.org. Current sponsors include Anthem, Brown and Brown, USI, Key Bank, Town Fair Tire, Performance Environmental Services, Aflac, The Whitney Center, and Canon.