Eden Institute’s supporters enjoy Native American theme.
By: Aleen Crispino
At the Hyatt Regency Princeton, it was a night of revelry and a night of resolve, a night for fun and 0a night to come out on a wintry Saturday and share a commitment to a cause.
Over 500 guests at Eden Dreams, Eden Institute’s 17th annual fund-raiser, white-tie dinner dance and theme party extraordinaire, were transported to a Southwest desert for "Dreams of Kokopelli." They enjoyed fine food prepared by Anthony Perrotti, the Hyatt’s executive chef; bid in a silent auction on memorabilia from the worlds of film, sports and opera (some donated by Beverly Sills, honorary co-chair and long-time Eden parent and benefactor), and solved the mystery of the missing Sun Kachina, the event’s annual dream search puzzle penned by Laura Jackson Novia.
Yet one by one they explained their primary motive for paying upwards of $300 a person to be part of an event, of course, but, more important, an effort - to help the people served by Eden Institute, children and adults with autism and their families.
Paul Taylor, managing partner at Carnegie Center law firm Taylor, Colicchio and Silverman, explained his personal commitment of 10 years on the board at Eden, from 1992 to 2002, and why he and his partners chose to be primary corporate sponsors of this event.
"All you have to do is visit," he said, "and see their incredible staff. It’s the nature of autism that one-on-one treatment is required for some patients. You can see how hard the staff works. There are a lot of charitable organizations out there but Eden Institute is particularly effective."
Rob Robinson of Doylestown, Pa., and Regina Massad of Princeton are this year’s co-chairs of Eden Dreams. While warmly greeting guests to the reception as strains of Plains Indian flute music wafted through the room, they spoke of their reasons for spending a total of 29 years of commitment to this fund-raising effort.
"It’s just a wonderful organization that helps kids and adults with life span services," said Ms. Massad.
Mr. Robinson echoed that assessment, adding, "Their sense of caring is very sincere."
"Life span services" is a term heard often in connection with Eden Institute. Lou Paparozzi, chairman of the board of trustees, and wife, Sue Paparozzi, are the parents of David, now 27 years old, who began his schooling at Eden at age 7.
"We were very fortunate that we found Eden," said Mr. Paparozzi. He defined "life span services" from his own family’s personal experience.
"When a child is in Eden’s school program, the planning begins" for his or her graduation at age 21, he said. "Eden picks up the adults with work programs, meaning paid jobs, either in the community or at Eden, and residential programs group homes which are supervised apartments in the community, such as the one where David lives. And they also provide recreation trips and social events," he said.
For West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, who attended with his wife, Sue, the goal of inclusion into the community for all people is an important motive for supporting Eden.
"In West Windsor, we’re always very proud of Eden Institute," he said. "We always talk about diversity and community for everybody. Eden Institute provides affordable housing for adults with autism. I like to see disadvantaged people to be part of the community. Diversity applies not only to race or religion but to include people of different ages and those with disadvantages and disabilities."
Guests seated in the Hyatt’s ballroom for dinner were treated to several dances by Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, a Manhattan-based group, whose members are of American Indian heritage, many from the Southwest. They performed eagle, butterfly and hoop dances in front of a black curtain studded with mirrors reflecting white light, twinkling like stars in a desert sky. Two metallic cutouts of Kokopelli, the flute-playing trickster of Southwestern pueblo tribal folklore, seemingly bowed to one another at either end of the performance area.
A roster of special guests were introduced by William Noonan, acting president of Eden Family of Services, and given due credit for their roles in planning "Dreams of Kokopelli," which raised over $200,000 for the non-profit organization. Artist Dane Borda was announced as Eden Dreams featured artist for 2005. His painting "Suburban Station" was purchased and donated by Taylor, Colicchio and Silverman to Eden Institute and made into note cards as an additional fund raiser.
Then, Marie Santos of Lawrenceville, parent member of Eden’s board and mother of 13-year-old Matthew, who has autism, stepped up to the microphone to relate how her dreams for her son became Eden’s dreams.
"I’m Marie, and that’s my son, Matthew," she began, pointing to where her son sat at a table. She told of how eight years ago Matthew could neither make eye contact nor follow simple directions, throwing frequent tantrums.
"Today, he reads, writes, dances and sings, says prayers at church and says the Pledge of Allegiance," she said, "and does all these things with a cheerful spirit and a gentle smile."
To explain why Eden "felt like our home" she recalled making the rounds of well-meaning pediatricians who "were very thorough in explaining everything he couldn’t be and wouldn’t be able to do."
On Eden’s intake form she was asked, "’What are your dreams and what are your hopes for your sonnothing is too big and nothing too small,’" she recalled.
Then Ms. Santos invited all the Eden parents in the audience to stand - about a dozen men and women stood - and raise their glasses in a toast "to our kids and to each and every one of you." Before long everyone was standing, and the Hyatt Regency on a wintry January night was the warmest place in town.