2nd Annual CSAAC Honors Gala

Click here to view event photos in a slideshow

On Thursday, November 1, CSAAC held its 2nd Annual Honors Gala at the Bethesda Marriott on Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda, Maryland.  This sold-out event hosted 325 guests, included a live and silent auction, and raised $100,000 for CSAAC Foundation, a record-breaking goal.  The theme of the event was “A Change in the Weather… Change the Climate for Children and Adults with Autism.”

This year’s honoree was journalist and TV personality, Mark Mc Ewen.  Mark’s brother is an individual served by CSAAC, and his father, Alfred McEwen, is a former CSAAC Board of Director’s President.  Mark competed on Celebrity Jeopardy twice and won nearly $40,000 for CSAAC.  For 16 years, Mark was a morning-television mainstay with CBS on shows such as "The Morning Program" and "CBS This Morning," and was also a correspondent with "48 Hours." He is best known as the weatherman and entertainment reporter for "The Early Show." In 2004 he launched a new chapter in his career as anchor of Local 6 First News and Local 6 News at Noon in Orlando, Florida. Mark suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2005 and has made an amazing comeback, touring the nation as “The New Face of Stroke” for the National Stroke Association. Mark is writing a new book, due out soon, entitled “Change in the Weather,” which is an account of his career and comeback from stroke.  At the Gala, Mark spoke passionately about growing up with a sibling with autism, and revealed that he mentions his brother and his gratitude towards CSAAC for his care in his new book. 

J.C. Hayward of WUSA 9 News, one of the Washington Metro area’s most respected broadcast journalists, served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. Secretary Catherine Raggio from the Maryland State Department of Disabilities presented CSAAC with a proclamation on behalf of Governor Martin O’Malley proclaiming November 1 as “CSAAC Day” in Maryland, and Ms. Karen McManus from Representative Chris Van Hollen’s office also presented CSAAC with a commendation from Rep. Van Hollen.

This year, CSAAC added a new tradition of honoring corporations, foundations, parents, and CSAAC employees who make a difference.  CSAAC’s Executive Director, Ian Paregol, gave out the following awards:

Foundation of the Year- The Meade Family Foundation

Corporate Supporter of the Year- Richard J. Princinsky and Associates

Employers of the Year- The Gazette Newspapers and The Home Depot

Parents of the Year- Dr. and Mrs. Josef and Kristine Yeager

Employee Recognition Awards- Ben Sawo, Caroline Onyejekwe, and Joseph Sackey

Mark and J.C. were also presented with inscribed gifts to remember the occasion.  Among the top-selling auction items was a Bahamas trip for four which included accommodations and air transportation, courtesy of Vic and Patricia Pfeiffer and American Airlines, and David Yurman pearl and sterling-silver necklace, donated by Matthew Rosenheim of The Tiny Jewel Box of Washington, D.C. 

Thank you to our sponsors: 

“Whilrlwind” level - $10,000 – Richard J. Princinsky and Associates, and Linemark (printing sponsor).

“Solar Flare” level- American Airlines (air transportation for live auction), Pepco, The Donohoe Companies, Frank and Molly Myers, Autism Speaks, CareFirst, Booz Allen Hamilton, Therrien Waddell Construction Group, and Mr. Abe Pollin. 

“Table” sponsors:

Barbara Denrich, Alco Pharmacy

Johann Lopez, Anheuser Busch

Rick Cutrera, American Airlines

Tom Murphy and Deborah Colliton, Eagle Bank

Wendy Lance and Ken Kubu, Sandy Spring Bank

Dwayne Jackson, Rembert, Pendleton, and Jackson Financial Advisors

Rishi Ramlogan, Lam Benefits

Ron Dimranan, Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union

Dave Sherry, Danya International

Jim Mannarino and Cliff Chiet, The Gazette Newspapers

Dawn Boyd, Amerigroup Community Care

CSAAC Board Member Ellen Dashner

CSAAC Foundation Board Member Jimmie Reyna

Michael Orleans, The Meltzer Group

Wal-Mart of Germantown

CSAAC Foundation thanks Ms. J.C. Hayward for being her most gracious self, and also thanks Michael Weschler of Adam A. Weschler and Son, Inc. for serving as the evening’s auctioneer. We would also like to thank the Event Committee, and the following members in particular for their efforts: Debbie Lazovick (Gala Chair), Vic Pfeiffer, Michael Orleans, Brooke Waskewich, Nancy Rogers, John Solyst and Ayse Berberoglu.  We also thank Jennifer Rae from Invitation to Better Things, LLC, for organizing the silent auction, volunteer Nick Hurson for his help with auction set-up, Kiwanis International Club of Montgomery Village members and the “Olney Darling Divas” Red Hat Ladies Club for manning the registration tables, and CSAAC Administrative Assistant Brandi Best for all her pre-Gala assistance.

 

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