Growing Up with Invest in Kids Gala
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Hagen
 

Event Co-chairs: Betsy Crane, Catherine Goodwillie, and Amy Middlekauff
Gala Host Committee: Greg and Katy Bante, Matt Ferlic, Lee Middlekauff, Sean and Jocelyn Murphy, Diane and Wiley Reed, and Sarah Younggren

Generous support from Invest in Kids donors once again surpassed expectations. Despite a difficult economy, Invest in Kids raised $150,000 at the Growing Up with Invest in Kids Gala on May 22, 2010.

“In tough times like these, it is incredibly humbling to see such an amazing amount of support from the attendees of our 2nd annual event,” said Lisa Merlino, Invest in Kids’ executive director. “Thanks to our generous donors, we have been able to expand our programs in this difficult economic climate. We are currently serving 20% more clients than we ever have before. Because poverty puts children at risk for so many negative life circumstances, we believe that teaching at-risk parents and children the skills to specifically address those risk factors, and prevent problem behaviors before they start, is critical; now more than ever.”

Co-chaired by Betsy Crane, Catherine Goodwillie, and Amy Middlekauff, the 2nd annual event featured a live auction, with auction items including a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a taping of Meet the Press, a spa day for 12, an insider’s tour of NYC, an evening with a private chef, and more. The night’s honorees were the founders of two of Invest in Kids’ research-based, proven programs: Dr. David Olds, founder of the Nurse-Family Partnership, and Dr. Carolyn Webster-Stratton, founder of The Incredible Years. Speakers included State Treasurer Cary Kennedy and the most moving presenter of the night—a graduate of the Nurse-Family Partnership, who, despite the difficulties of bearing her first child at age 14, went on to graduate from college and is now a teacher in Invest in Kids’ The Incredible Years program. “I am so inspired by all that she has accomplished, " says Merlino.  "She demonstrates the power of the human spirit, of our capacity for resilience and growth, and the power of what it means to truly grow up with Invest in Kids.”

Sponsored By: