Annual Autism Gala Presents Community Leaders with Service Awards
Princeton, NJ, February 05, 2012 --(PR.com)-- On Saturday, January 21, 2012, Eden Autism Services’ held its 24th annual Eden Dreams white-tie dinner gala at the Hyatt Regency Princeton. The event featured the presentation of the Friends of Eden Award to longtime Eden supporters Munich Re, 2012 Guardian Award and Gerard J. Fennelly of NAI Fennelly, 2012 Visionary Award. The Friends of Eden Award is presented to organizations or individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary philanthropic and/or volunteer support for Eden’s mission.
Jason Frede, Chairman of the Eden Board of Trustees, and Dr. Tom McCool, President & CEO of Eden Autism Services, welcomed and thanked Dreams of l’Île Magique co-chairs, Mark Berkowsky and Mary Anne Guarrieri along with all of those who made this year’s Eden Dreams possible. They also announced the two honorees for the evening.
“Jerry Fennelly, known to many of you as a talented and energetic businessman, was a social entrepreneur long before the word showed up on Wikipedia. For nearly three decades Jerry has been an outstanding friend to Eden and many other service organizations here in Mercer County. Without Jerry’s vision for what one person can do to inspire an entire community on behalf of virtual strangers, Eden would not have realized the hundreds of thousands of dollars that have gone directly to support its children, adults, and their families,” said Frede.
Frede also remarked “Munich Re, a worldwide leader in reinsurance, exemplifies the phrase corporate citizen. From the highest level of executive management to their college interns, the Munich Re family has given time, talent, and resources to Eden for more than twenty years. Having witnessed the employees in action, I can tell you that their labors have been from the heart.”
Dr. McCool called Jerry Fennelly an unstoppable force and acknowledged his role in the creation of the Eden Autism 5K and his role in securing Eden’s new adult services facility in Hamilton. McCool described the employees of Munich Re as “good and kind-hearted people who make their company the corporate citizen that it is.”
This year’s Eden Dreams theme, Dreams of l’Île Magique, transported guests to France’s Renaissance, a lusty, romantic time as the world emerged from darkness, and chivalrous knights traveled across Normandy – and one beautiful and mysterious castle appeared through the mist and beckoned … Each year the theme of the event represents a time or place that can be visited only through one’s imagination – or through Eden Dreams.
Along with the awards presentation, additional highlights of the evening included a 5-course gourmet dinner, open bar, a silent auction featuring a limited number of distinctive prizes, and the annual “Dream Search” – a theme-related mental puzzle associated with each year’s Eden Dreams gala. The winner of the Dream Search received two first-class round trip tickets compliments of UNITED. Actors were on hand throughout the evening to provide interactive theatre and clues to help guests solve the puzzle. Also, the winner of Eden’s 50/50 raffle was announced.
“Honor Roll” patrons for Dreams of l’Île Magique included Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gina DelGiudice-Asch, MD & William Asch; Event FX; Fallen Angels Foundation; Hyatt Regency Princeton; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Cathy & Tom McCool; Munich Re; NAI Fennelly, Novo Nordisk; The Olsen Foundation; Thomas Edison State College; Turn-Key Environmental Services; UNITED; Wawa, Inc.; and Wells Fargo Bank. The “Honor Roll” comprised sponsors who have demonstrated leadership support of the event.
Eden Autism Services is a not-for-profit organization that provides early intervention, education, employment training and residential services for children and adults with autism. Eden offers both in-person and online support and training programs for families and professionals. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, Eden is a national center of excellence, which was founded in 1975. Eden's services extend throughout the United States with operations Princeton, NJ and Southwest Florida. For more information about Eden visit www.edenautism.org or call (609) 987-0099. Follow Eden on Facebook and Twitter.
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Jason Frede, Chairman of the Eden Board of Trustees, and Dr. Tom McCool, President & CEO of Eden Autism Services, welcomed and thanked Dreams of l’Île Magique co-chairs, Mark Berkowsky and Mary Anne Guarrieri along with all of those who made this year’s Eden Dreams possible. They also announced the two honorees for the evening.
“Jerry Fennelly, known to many of you as a talented and energetic businessman, was a social entrepreneur long before the word showed up on Wikipedia. For nearly three decades Jerry has been an outstanding friend to Eden and many other service organizations here in Mercer County. Without Jerry’s vision for what one person can do to inspire an entire community on behalf of virtual strangers, Eden would not have realized the hundreds of thousands of dollars that have gone directly to support its children, adults, and their families,” said Frede.
Frede also remarked “Munich Re, a worldwide leader in reinsurance, exemplifies the phrase corporate citizen. From the highest level of executive management to their college interns, the Munich Re family has given time, talent, and resources to Eden for more than twenty years. Having witnessed the employees in action, I can tell you that their labors have been from the heart.”
Dr. McCool called Jerry Fennelly an unstoppable force and acknowledged his role in the creation of the Eden Autism 5K and his role in securing Eden’s new adult services facility in Hamilton. McCool described the employees of Munich Re as “good and kind-hearted people who make their company the corporate citizen that it is.”
This year’s Eden Dreams theme, Dreams of l’Île Magique, transported guests to France’s Renaissance, a lusty, romantic time as the world emerged from darkness, and chivalrous knights traveled across Normandy – and one beautiful and mysterious castle appeared through the mist and beckoned … Each year the theme of the event represents a time or place that can be visited only through one’s imagination – or through Eden Dreams.
Along with the awards presentation, additional highlights of the evening included a 5-course gourmet dinner, open bar, a silent auction featuring a limited number of distinctive prizes, and the annual “Dream Search” – a theme-related mental puzzle associated with each year’s Eden Dreams gala. The winner of the Dream Search received two first-class round trip tickets compliments of UNITED. Actors were on hand throughout the evening to provide interactive theatre and clues to help guests solve the puzzle. Also, the winner of Eden’s 50/50 raffle was announced.
“Honor Roll” patrons for Dreams of l’Île Magique included Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gina DelGiudice-Asch, MD & William Asch; Event FX; Fallen Angels Foundation; Hyatt Regency Princeton; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Cathy & Tom McCool; Munich Re; NAI Fennelly, Novo Nordisk; The Olsen Foundation; Thomas Edison State College; Turn-Key Environmental Services; UNITED; Wawa, Inc.; and Wells Fargo Bank. The “Honor Roll” comprised sponsors who have demonstrated leadership support of the event.
Eden Autism Services is a not-for-profit organization that provides early intervention, education, employment training and residential services for children and adults with autism. Eden offers both in-person and online support and training programs for families and professionals. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, Eden is a national center of excellence, which was founded in 1975. Eden's services extend throughout the United States with operations Princeton, NJ and Southwest Florida. For more information about Eden visit www.edenautism.org or call (609) 987-0099. Follow Eden on Facebook and Twitter.
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Contact
Eden Autism Services
Aileen Kornblatt
609-987-0099
www.edenautism.org
Aileen Kornblatt
609-987-0099
www.edenautism.org
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