LOVE Gala To Support CTC Academy

School Serving Students With Disabilities Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Fundraising Event

[The CTC Academy, Oakland, NJ]- Over 400 families and friends of the CTC Academy, with campuses in Oakland and Fair Lawn, gathered to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the CTC Academy Gala, its largest annual fundraiser, at the Venetian in Garfield. Supporters dressed for a party were greeted with a “Love” themed step and repeat photo booth of blooming red roses and a Red Carpet Violinist. Guests enjoyed live music by The Differents at the Silent Auction and Cocktail Hour along with the signature cocktail, LOVE Potion #30 and got to purchase their raffle bracelets from several pageant sisters, arranged by the Lucy Rose Foundation.

International Impact Artist, Marco Santini, created an original artwork that included words submitted by staff, supporters and attendees when asked to describe how they feel about the school and its mission. Words like caring, compassion and support were frequent suggestions. During the dinner and program Santini’s artwork was successfully auctioned off, raising $12,000 to a roaring round of applause that moved the artist to offer an original mural, to be painted on an exterior wall at the Oakland campus for students and staff to enjoy each day. The live auction also included an “Autographed” NY Giants Jersey, signed especially by a young CTC Academy student as well as a Costa Rica vacation, generously donated by longtime supporters, Leslie Cohen and Wade Anderson.

Executive Director Anne Ogden and outgoing Board President Jon Mach spoke to supporters about the significance of the event but it was the remarks made by Eli Gold and Aden Gold, younger brothers to Jonah Gold, CTC Graduate turned Ambassador and co-host of the event, about their family commitment to the CTC Academy that moved attendees to donate a total of $120,000 during the Fund a Need to end the evening. The CTC Academy Annual Gala- Love raised a total of over $350,000 that night.

CTC Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides educational and therapeutic services for students with a diverse array of developmental disabilities through our collaborative educational program and support services for students and families. The CTC offers services to children up to age 21 in their state-of-the-art facility. Executive Director Anne Ogden said, “The gala has been the most successful fundraising event of our year for 3 decades but it means so much more to the CTC community. For many parents it is a welcome tradition that they look forward to each year as an opportunity to celebrate their child with special needs, for loved ones and friends of these amazing students, it is an opportunity to express their support.”

CTC Academy depends on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations to support our mission. Raised funds provide enhanced programs, adaptive equipment, expansion of facilities and programs and extracurricular activities for our children and their families. Aden Gold said of the CTC Academy in his remarks, “We have been impacted so greatly by this organization we call a family, all based on the notion that there are some things that are just bigger than us.”

Contributions are tax deductible and there are many opportunities to help.