By Aileen Kornblatt
Princeton, NJ – On Saturday, January 21, 2012, Eden Autism Services will hold its 24th annual Eden Dreams white-tie dinner gala at the Hyatt Regency Princeton. The event will feature the presentation of the Friends of Eden Award to longtime Eden supporters Munich Re and Gerard J. Fennelly of NAI Fennelly. The Friends of Eden Award is presented to organizations or individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary philanthropic and/or volunteer support for Eden’s mission. Munich Re, which will receive the 2012 Guardian Award, has been a proud supporter of Eden for more than two decades, having sponsored every Eden Dreams gala since the event’s inception in 1989 and served as title sponsor of the Eden Autism 5K for the past three years. Munich Re also provided pro bono support for Eden’s recent move into its new Education and Outreach Center in Princeton Forrestal Village, offering invaluable expertise and assistance in ensuring that the move went as smoothly as possible. Fennelly, who will receive the 2012 Visionary Award, has been supporting Eden for nearly thirty years. He has served on Eden’s Board of Trustees, attended and/or sponsored Eden events, and has helped secure facilities for Eden’s adult employment program. In 2004, Fennelly offered to help establish a 5K event for Eden, and served as Race Director for the inaugural Eden Autism 5K as well as the next three events before handing over the reins to his successor, Curt Emmich.
This year’s Eden Dreams theme, Dreams of l’Île Magique, will transport guests to France’s Renaissance, a lusty, romantic time as the world emerged from darkness, and chivalrous knights traveled across Normandy – and one beautiful and mysterious castle appeared through the mist and beckoned … Each year the theme of the event represents a time or place that can be visited only through one’s imagination – or through Eden Dreams.
Along with the awards presentation, additional highlights of the evening include a 5-course gourmet dinner, open bar, a silent auction featuring a limited number of distinctive prizes, and the annual “Dream Search” – a theme-related mental puzzle associated with each year’s Eden Dreams gala. The winner of the Dream Search will receive two first-class round trip tickets compliments of UNITED. Actors are on hand throughout the evening to provide interactive theatre and clues to help guests solve the puzzle.
Also, the winner of Eden’s 50/50 raffle will be announced at Eden Dreams. Raffle tickets, which are available to the public, are currently on sale through the Eden Foundation office or on the Eden Dreams website, www.edendreams.org. The winner of the raffle does not have to be present.
“Honor Roll” patrons for Dreams of l’Île Magique include Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gina DelGiudice-Asch, MD & William Asch; Event FX; Fallen Angels Foundation; Hyatt Regency Princeton; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Cathy & Tom McCool; Munich Re; NAI Fennelly, Novo Nordisk; The Olsen Foundation; Thomas Edison State College; Turn-Key Environmental Services; UNITED; Wawa, Inc.; and Wells Fargo Bank. The “Honor Roll” comprises sponsors who have demonstrated leadership support of the event.
Individual seats for Dreams of l’Île Magique are $350. Sponsorship opportunities are available. All proceeds benefit the children and adults served by Eden Autism Services. For Eden Dreams reservations or additional information, contact the Eden Autism Services Foundation at (609) 987-0099 ext. 3512 or visit www.edendreams.org.
Eden Autism Services is a not-for-profit organization that provides early intervention, education, employment training and residential services for children and adults with autism. Eden offers both in-person and online support and training programs for families and professionals. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, Eden is a national center of excellence, which was founded in 1975. Eden’s services extend throughout the United States with operations Princeton, NJ and Southwest Florida. For more information about Eden visit www.edenautism.org or call (609) 987-0099. Follow Eden on Facebook and Twitter.
