Celebrate the Transformative Power of the Arts:
Join Us for CONNECTED! The HeART of Community
- Annual Community Gala
- Date: October 14, 2023
- Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Venue: Bethesda Theater (Formerly Bethesda Blues & Jazz)
Thank you for being a part of CONNECTED! The HeART of Community, our annual fundraising gala, truly enchanted all who attended. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support.
As we reflect on the evening, we can’t help but be inspired by the magical atmosphere that filled the venue. Hosted by Emmy award-winning anchor Allison Seymour and rising Hollywood star Drew Olivia Tillman, the event showcased artistic expression like no other. The performances by industry-leading young artists in visual arts, spoken word, dance, and music left us in awe of their boundless talents.
But CONNECTED! The HeART of Community went beyond the stage. Throughout the event, we had the privilege to honor the remarkable achievements and contributions of an extended network of advocates, benefactors, and volunteers who have made a lasting impact on the lives of the youth we serve. Your dedication to our cause has created a ripple effect of positivity that continues to touch the lives of countless children and families.
Thanks to your contributions we embraced the transformative power of the arts and empowered the future generation of artists and change-makers TOGETHER. Your continued support is vital, and your belief in the mission of the National Center for Children and Families is deeply appreciated.
While our annual gala was a resounding success, the need for your help and support remains ongoing. The journey to empower and uplift the lives of young individuals continues, and we invite you to stand with us in this endeavor. Your contributions, whether through donations, volunteer work, or advocacy, make a world of difference.
The Power of Art - Transforming Lives
Artistic expression and cultural experiences have an incredible power to inspire self-discovery, heal, engage, and empower infinite possibilities. Through CONNECTED! The HeART of Community, we aim to emphasize the profound impact of the arts on young lives.
Nurturing Invisible Talent
By supporting our event, you directly nurture the artistic talents of impoverished and displaced children, providing them with opportunities and experiences they might not otherwise have. Together, we can unlock their potential and make a lasting impact on their lives.
Arts Equity for All
All children, including those historically underrepresented, deserve access to arts and culturally enriching experiences. Our mission is to bridge the gap and ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, can benefit from the transformative benefits of artistic expression and exploration.
- Date: October 14, 2023
- Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Venue: Bethesda Theater (Formerly Bethesda Blues & Jazz)
SPECIAL GUESTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
NCCF’s brightest stars, powerhouse artists and media trailblazers, including:
Brianna Stoute
Honorary Chair
Marcus Johnson
Special Guest Performer
Allison Seymour
Emcee
Drew Olivia Tillman
Emcee
Dance Dimensions
Youth Performer
Lay TC & Marc Anthony Fitzgerald
Youth Performer
Catherine Leggett
Co-Host &
Community Connector
Jeffery Slavin
Co-Host &
Community Connector
Northwood Latin Dance Club
Youth Performer
Saniya (Poetry S.A.P.) of Word Beats Life
Youth Performer
Brianna Stoute
Honorary Chair
Marcus Johnson
Special Guest Performer
Allison Seymour
Emcee
Drew Olivia Tillman
Emcee
Dance Dimensions
Youth Performer
Lay TC & Marc Anthony Fitzgerald
Youth Performer
Catherine Leggett
Co-Host & Community Connector
Jeffery Slavin
Co-Host & Community Connector
Northwood Latin Dance Club
Youth Performer
Saniya (Poetry S.A.P.) of Word Beats Life
Youth Performer
HONOREES
Girl Scout Troop 5585
Humanitarian Spirit Award for Volunteerism
Dr. Michael J. Martirano
Superintendent,
Howard County Public School Tom Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent Leadership Award
John Pierce
Comptroller Invisible Hand Foundation Champion in Our Midst Award
Reverend Timothy Warner
Sr. Pastor,
Emory Grove Methodist Church Humanitarian Lifetime Impact Award
Zion Baptist Church
Humanitarian Spirit Award for Volunteerism
Tigst Tesfay
John F. White Alumni Award
Girl Scout Troop 5585
Dr. Michael J. Martirano
John Pierce
Comptroller
Invisible Hand Foundation
Champion in Our Midst Award
Reverend Timothy Warner
Sr. Pastor,
Emory Grove Methodist Church
Humanitarian Lifetime Impact Award
Zion Baptist Church
Tigst Tesfay
Come together as a community and make a difference in the lives of invisible youth.
Here's how you can get involved:
Donate:
Your financial contribution will underwrite arts education, cultural experiences, and mentorship programs for less fortunate children. Support our cause and empower these young artists to flourish.
Spread the Word:
Share our event and mission with your network, encouraging others to contribute and join us in celebrating the artistic talents of children in our community.
Volunteer:
Consider sharing your artistic and cultural expertise on-site to provide programs and activities that reach more children, creating a lasting impact on their lives.
Sponsor the HeART of Community
Your sponsorship will positively change the lives of the more than 51,000 struggling children, youth, and families that NCCF serves in the National Capital Region.
ADVANCE PACKAGE
Included Benefits
- 2 VIP Tickets
- Name or Logo recognition on all pre-event promotional materials
- Sponsor testimony of support featured in marketing campaign
- Featured as corporate or individual sponsor on NCCF website and in 2023 Annual Report
- Special verbal acknowledgement during event program
- Recognition on high-visibility event signage at Community Gala
- Full page ad in event magazine (print and digital)
- Name or Logo recognition on event website with hyperlink, email blasts, and social media channels
EDUCATE PACKAGE
Included Benefits
- 2 VIP Tickets
- Name or Logo recognition on all pre-event promotional materials
- Featured as corporate or individual sponsor on NCCF website and in 2023 Annual Report
- Sponsor acknowledgement during event program
- Recognition on high-visibility event signage at Community Gala
- Full page ad in event magazine (print and digital)
- Name or Logo recognition on event website with hyperlink, email blasts, and social media channels
NOURISH PACKAGE
Included Benefits
- 2 VIP Tickets
- Name or Logo recognition on all pre-event promotional materials
- Featured as corporate or individual sponsor on NCCF website and in 2023 Annual Report
- Sponsor testimony of support featured in marketing campaign
- Recognition on high-visibility event signage at Community Gala
- Half page ad in event magazine (print and digital)
- Name or Logo recognition on event website with hyperlink, email blasts, and social media channels
CREATE PACKAGE
Included Benefits
- 2 VIP Tickets
- Featured as corporate or individual sponsor on NCCF website and in 2023 Annual Report
- Sponsor acknowledgement during event program
- Sponsor recognition on event signage at Community Gala
- Quarter page ad in event magazine (print and digital)
- Name or Logo recognition on event website, email blasts, and social media channels
SPEAK PACKAGE
Included Benefits
- 2 VIP Tickets
- Sponsor acknowledgement during event program
- Sponsor recognition on event signage at Community Gala
- Name or Logo recognition in event magazine (print and digital)
- Name or Logo recognition on event website, email blasts, and social media channels
LAUNCH PACKAGE
Included Benefits
- 2 VIP Tickets
- Sponsor acknowledgement during event program
- Sponsor recognition on event signage at Community Gala
- Name or Logo recognition in event magazine (print and digital)
- Name or Logo recognition on event website, email blasts, and social media channels
For sponsorship related questions, contact Dahlia Levin, Director of Development and External Relations dlevin@nccf-cares.org or 301-365-4480
HONORARY CHAIR
Brianna Stoute
Broadway Actress, Singer & Dancer
CO-HOST AND COMMUNITY CONNECTORS
Catherine Leggett
First Lady of Montgomery County
Jeffrey Slavin
Mayor of Somerset, MD
HONORARY COMMITTEE
Gabe Albornoz
Montgomery County Council
Michael and Sonia Barros
Nathan and Jackie Beach
Patrice King Brickman
Doug Brown
Hossein and Guitty Ejtemai
Marc Elrich
Montgomery County Executive
Natali Fani-Gonzalez
Montgomery County Council
Andrew and Tracey Friedlander
Brian and Marcy Frosh
Matthew Frumin
D.C. Council
Josiane M. Gabel
Evan Glass
President, Montgomery County Council
Janet Goldberg
Vincent Gray
D.C. Council
Brian and Sara Jane Harris
Michael and Vicki Herson
Will Jawando
Montgomery County Council
Sidney Katz
Montgomery County Council
Brooke Lierman
Maryland Comptroller
Dawn Luedtke
Montgomery County Council
Kenyan McDuffie
D.C. Council
Phil Mendelson
Chairman, D.C. Council
Kristin Mink
Montgomery County Council
Brianne Nadeau
D.C. Council
Zachary Parker
D.C. Council
Jamie Raskin
U.S. House of Representatives
Jay and Barbara Ripley
Talisha Searcy
Mayor, City of Takoma Park
Kate Stewart
Montgomery County Council
David Trone
U.S. House of Representatives
Robert White, Jr
D.C. Council
Marilyn Balcombe
Montgomery County Council
Gabe Albornoz
Montgomery County Council
Nathan and Jackie Beach
Doug Brown
Marc Elrich
Montgomery County Executive
Andrew and Tracey Friedlander
Matthew Frumin
D.C. Council
Evan Glass
President, Montgomery County Council
Vincent Gray
D.C. Council
Sidney Katz
Montgomery County Council
Dawn Luedtke
Montgomery County Council
Phil Mendelson
Chairman, D.C. Council
Brianne Nadeau
D.C. Council
Jamie Raskin
U.S. House of Representatives
Talisha Searcy
Mayor, City of Takoma Park
David Trone
U.S. House of Representatives
Marilyn Balcombe
Montgomery County Council
Michael and Sonia Barros
Patrice King Brickman
Hossein and Guitty Ejtemai
Natali Fani-Gonzalez
Montgomery County Council
Brian and Marcy Frosh
Josiane M. Gabel
Janet Goldberg
Brian and Sara Jane Harris
Michael and Vicki Herson
Will Jawando
Montgomery County Council
Brooke Lierman
Maryland Comptroller
Kenyan McDuffie
D.C. Council
Kristin Mink
Montgomery County Council
Zachary Parker
D.C. Council
Jay and Barbara Ripley
Kate Stewart
Montgomery County Council
Robert White, Jr
D.C. Council
Your support will:
- Empower invisible and impoverished children by nurturing their artistic talents, and self-discovery, and providing them with tools for self-expression and personal growth.
- Foster a sense of pride and accomplishment among these children, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.
- Create a more inclusive and equitable society by ensuring every child, regardless of their background, can access arts and cultural experiences.
Together, let’s celebrate the artistic talents of the children in our community and provide them with the opportunities they deserve. Help us unlock their potential and make a lasting impact on their lives through the transformative power of the arts and experiences.
INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS
Brickman Family Foundation
Michael and Vicki Herson
Rich and Donna Mahan
Sheryl Brissett Chapman and Mamadou Seck
Phillip and Valerie Brown
Bryan and Sara Jane Harris
Lewis I. Askew, Jr.
Ralph and Lisa Belk
Jason Davis and Krystal Holland Davis
Ken and Kristin Mills
Russell and Leila Phillips
The Sunderman Family
Arlene Selber and Wayne Anmuth
Rachel and Cosma Spassiani
Philip and Janis Schiff
Michael and Sonja Barros
Scott and Karen Nudelman
Seth and Stacy Silber
Norman and Joan Glasgow
John and Barbara Ripley
Ted and Gloria Daniels
Doug and Mary Beth McDaniel
Megan O’toole
Rob and Susan Schaefer
Jermaine and Kristen Lemons
Neal and Maria Smith
Jacklyn Mittchell Wynn
SPONSORS
