"Celebrating Our Future" Event a Huge  Success

On Tuesday, April 25th, 175 guests including CSAAC supporters, families and friends gathered to welcome new honorary board members First Lady Kendel Ehrlich, Democratic candidate Lise Van Susteren, and Mr. Paul Berry, former WJLA-TV Senior Anchor, at an event held at Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge in Rockville (www.clydes.com) The event marked the first annual Spring Event for CSAAC Foundation, and also kicked off the “Opening New Doors” capital campaign for the expansion of CSAAC’s Jane Salzano Center for Autism (for the PDF capital campaign brochure click here).  Alfred McEwen, world-renowned jazz vocalist and former CSAAC President sang a moving tribute to commemorate April as Autism Awareness Month, and in honor of his son Sean and other children and adults served by CSAAC.  CSAAC’s Executive Director, Ian Paregol, said “It was an outstanding event to celebrate the expansion of our new world-class center for autism and I was moved by the tremendous outpouring of support, not only from our community and our sponsors, but also from our elected officials who attended the event”.

Guests enjoyed Clyde’s fabulous cuisine, music from DJ Ernest Ekinde, and a lively silent auction.  Auction items included a one-of-a-kind red metallic signature Paul Reed Smith Guitar, opening-day Redskins vs. Vikings tickets, and artwork by CSAAC individuals Paul Lewis and Charles Messner- there were 75 auction items in all!  We wish to thank our sponsors, Gary Barone of Richard J. Princinsky and Associates and Mr. Richard Princinsky, Tony Kamerick, Vice President of Pepco, and Booz Allen Hamilton for their support of this event.

Alfred McEwen’s CD “For the Love of Sean” is available as a gift for donation by clicking here.

View event photos in a slideshow by clicking here.

To learn how you can be involved in future CSAAC events, contact Ayda Sanver, Director of Community Development, CSAAC Foundation, at 240-912-2256.