Easterseals Spring Fling Crystal Ball
A Tremendous Success!
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"Where Flowers Bloom, So Does Hope." -Lady Bird Johnson
It was an evening of growth and connection- 300 guests gathered for our Easterseals largest fundraiser of the year, our annual Crystal Ball, at beautiful Riverview in Simsbury, CT. While it was raining outside, guests entered a Spring oasis, surrounded by Spring flowers, a reminder of the support and growth our services provide to the community.
Our guest speakers shared mission moments including “Cesar’s story” of learning employment skills and finding a second home at Easterseals as told by his sister, Sara Goyzueta, and our “Digital Skills for Veterans” inclusion program led by Board Member, Dave Stevens. Our keynote speaker, Marc Fucarile, shared his journey as a survivor of the Boston Marathon Bombing tragedy, and how important access to and awareness of our disability, mobility and veterans’ services are.
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Thanks to our generous sponsors, and donors, we raised over $460,000 in gross revenue—critical to the robust growth plans we are developing to serve more individuals with disabilities and veterans.
Check out our event photo album HERE
If you did not attend, there’s still time to donate to support our disability and veterans’ programs!
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A special Thank You to our Crystal Ball Planning Committee, and our Volunteer Squad (pictured above). Thank you for your time, ideas, and contributions to this major event! | |
Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Ann Gutkowski | | |
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Volunteer Extraordinaire!
Ann Gutkowski is one of a kind! She has been volunteering with our Easterseals for many years, starting with us when she worked for Pratt & Whitney; Ann has a special place in her heart for veterans/military families and is an ongoing supporter of our Easterseals Veterans Rally Point.
After nearly 50 years at Pratt/UTC/RTX, she still serves as an active member on our Crystal Ball Committee, and always volunteers for our organizations’ many events and initiatives including our annual golf tournament where you can find her rain or shine helping out on the course and in the clubhouse! From donating bottles of wine and amazing auction items to buying tables for veterans at the Crystal Ball to brainstorming new ideas to keep our events fresh, Ann is always a valuable contributor. She has even carted auction items and event signage around in her pickup truck!
Thank you, Ann. Our Easterseals’ success is fueled by individuals like you!
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Tito's Handmade Vodka & Bottlestop
For our Easterseals Crystal Ball, our wine and signature drinks were on point thanks to the generosity of Tito’s and Bottlestop. Tito’s was our signature drink sponsor and we featured a beautiful luge ice sculpture (insert photo)—they also provided amazing silent auction items, and VIP guests were treated to batched cocktails, tableside.
Our dinner wine was generously donated by Bottlestop—lovely bottles of Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio for all guests. Thank you.
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Easterseals Veterans Rally Point Digital Media student, Nubia Taylor, joined Easterseals Board Member and Disability Advocate, Dave Stevens, to film a 'Best Of' coverage of the Crystal Ball - our Mission in Action!
Watch Video HERE
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Our Easterseals Enviroshred social enterprise is a NAID-certified, safe, secure, and environmentally responsible means of destroying confidential information.
Get A Quote Today HERE
Watch Video HERE
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Easterseals March/April Trivia!
Question:
How many Americans identify as having a disability?
Answer:
A. 10 million
B. 25 million
C. 15.5 million
D. 42.5 million
This group includes people with hearing, vision, cognitive, walking, self-care or independent living difficulties.
Click HERE for the Answer!
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Accessible Air Travel Interview: Streaming on Scripps News Nationwide
An interview with Easterseals President and CEO Kendra Davenport and Easterseals Capital Region Board Member Dave Stevens on the importance of accessible air travel is being streamed on Scripps News (formerly Newsy) in top DMAs nationwide. The story has been published by 46 unique television stations with a total estimated reach of 20.7 million viewers. Top media markets include Cincinnati, Cleveland, Phoenix, Denver, and West Palm Beach.
View HERE
WFSB hosts Robin Sharp & Dave Stevens on Great Day CT
View HERE
NBC CT hosts Robin Sharp on CT Live
View HERE
The Hartford Courant Promotes Crystal Ball
View HERE
Our Easterseals Featured in New London's 'The Day'
Brad Palazzo mentioned Digital Skills Training and Media Lab at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point. “Comcast’s western New England director of community impact, Brad Palazzo, said his company offers an affordable internet option for $9.95 per month and an enhanced package that’s twice as fast for $29.95 a month. He said the affordable packages have provided internet service for 72,000 households since 2011. The company also funded programs at the Easterseals Veterans Rally Point in Norwich, including the launch of a computer/media lab where clients can learn how to use the technology to access VA benefits and job opportunities.”
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