Kennedy Ctr. Annual Fundraiser Promises Roaring Good Time

Kennedy Ctr. Annual Fundraiser Promises Roaring Good Time:

Event founded 20 yrs. ago by Fairfielder Christine Donahue

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(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 1/16)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/10/11

Fairfield, CT – What began as a modest event two decades ago that raised about $4,000 has evolved into a leading regional occasion that has to date raised nearly $1 million. And while the event site and organization is Trumbull-based, the orchestration in large part is steered from Fairfield.

On January 29, beginning at 6:30 p.m., The Kennedy Center will hold its Annual Cabaret and Auction fundraising event at the Trumbull Marriott, Hawley Lane, Trumbull. As it has been for the last 20 years, this year’s event is being directed by Fairfielder Christine Donahue Brown. Themed around the “Roaring 20s”, the evening will offer talented Connecticut actors and actresses singing and dancing to popular show tunes, hors d’ouevres, a full-course dinner and a live and silent auction. Attendees are encouraged to wear something reminiscent of the era, such as a flapper dress or gangster suit, to play off the theme.

Brown, 41, founded the event at age 21 as a law student at Quinnipiac University. “I have a brother with Down Syndrome, who was 11 at the time,” she said. “He was a client of The Kennedy Center. I approached the center and told them I had an idea for a fundraiser. They were a little skeptical at first because of my age, but proved to be extremely supportive and encouraging.”

Now a partner at Fairfield law firm Donahue & Brown, LLC, Brown said the initial event was modest but that it has grown by leaps and bounds in both attendance and support. “Our first year, we only had about 120 guests, a small committee of eight and raised $4,000. Now, 20 years later, we’ve raised just shy of $1 million, have a committee of over 45 individuals and the event is a sold-out occasion, attracting about 425 attendees each year.”

As the event has grown in scope, so too has the Kennedy Center’s clientele – children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities. “When I first collaborated with them, they serviced about 400 people. Now they serve over 1,800,” said Brown.

The non-profit has helped its clients live and work in the community and has established supported residences dedicated to them. In Fairfield, the group home is Broadhurst Manor at 1038 Old Post Road. “The greatest thing the Center does is provide job coaches to help clients get and maintain jobs so they can eventually work independently,” added Brown.

The majority of people on the event committee were personally recruited by Brown and are either entertainers at the event, parents of children served by the Kennedy Center or administrative supporters. The committee includes four women from Fairfield: Debra Jones, Sondra Kennedy, Carol Karpovich and Ruth Ridgeway.

Brown is indebted to her committee and particularly to Ridgeway. “Ruth has been a contributor to the event for the last 10 years donating countless dollars and hundreds of hours of time in creating the event atmosphere through her company, Ruth Ridgeway Design.”

The Center continues to play a role in Brown’s brother’s life. “He is still served by the organization. They helped him acquire a position at Fairfield University as well as enroll in college-level classes where he studies art and photography.”

Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center, hopes this year’s event will set a new milestone. “We want to raise over $100,000 to bring us to the $1 million level. We encourage the community to show its support.”

For fundraiser tickets, call Debra Kane at The Kennedy Center, 203-365-8522, ext. 216.