The Tiny Miracles Foundation Hosts Successful Fundraiser
Event honored community leaders advocating for the families of premature babies.
Some $300,000 were raised during The Tiny Miracles Foundation’s annual gala May 6 in support of the organization’s mission, namely its programs to support the families of premature babies in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
The annual gala, held in person for the first time since 2019, welcomed nearly 200 guests to The Loading Dock in Stamford. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails by drink sponsor The Vale Fox distillery as well as hors d’oeuvres and an elegant sit-down dinner by Abigail Kirsch catering. The roaring 20’s event theme “Miracles… and All That Jazz” inspired signature touches including a champagne tower and a speakeasy entertainment room. One lucky guest won a pair of earrings designed by Donna Vock of jewelry sponsor Vock & Vintage.
The event is the largest annual fundraiser for Tiny Miracles, whose mission is to provide compassionate care to the families of premature babies in the region. The organization helps families whose babies will often spend weeks or months in neonatal intensive care because of their preterm birth. Their programs include one-on-one mentoring, educational resources and, in some cases, financial aid.
“We’re very grateful to the sponsors, donors and event guests for their generous support of Tiny Miracles and our programs which help thousands of families every year,” said Tina Tison, Executive Director of The Tiny Miracles Foundation.
Highlight of the evening was the presentation of the “Miracle Maker” Awards, which honors individuals who share the organization’s dedication to support families of premature babies in Southwestern Connecticut. The 2022 event honored two recipients:
Réal and Tara Leclerc – Parents of twins born at 28 weeks; this couple has made a tangible difference in the lives of parents of premature babies in the community.
Meltem Seli, MD – Attending Neonatologist, Connecticut Children’s Specialty Group, Nuvance Health at Norwalk and Danbury Hospitals. Dr. Seli is an outstanding advocate and advisor for her tiny patients and for mental health of their parents.
This special event was supported by Presenting Sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Klein and the Bauer Family Foundation as well as many individual and local corporate sponsors, including, The Godina Family, Réal and Tara Leclerc, CD, Ginger, Christopher and Lilly Wilson, Twenty Four Wealth, Stamford Health, Yale New Haven Health System, Ivy Rehab/Ivy Rehab for Kids, Gwen and Tom Noto, Eileen and James Thomas, David and Kim Januszewski, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Srolis, Eila and Jeff Johnson, Cheryl and Tim Egan, Cross Private Client Insurance/Pure Insurance, Bank of America, Nuvance Health and The Harbor Lights Foundation. Other wonderful sponsors are The Blake Family, Jason and Brooke Gies, Laura and Blake Franchi, Mr. and Mrs. William Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ruehlman, Tara and Stacy Eastland, Nedder & Associates, LLC, Ashley and David Dineen, Heath and Alyssa Kent, Bankwell, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Streinger, Richard Freedman, MD, Maternal Fetal Care PC and Darien Sport Shop.
For more information about The Tiny Miracles Foundation visit www.ttmf.org or call (203) 202-9714.
About The Tiny Miracles Foundation
The Tiny Miracles Foundation, a 501C3, was founded in 2004 by two local mothers of severely premature twins after they experienced the trauma and devastating impact of pre-term birth. Through their experiences in different NICUs, over many months, multiple life-threatening conditions, and numerous infant surgeries, Tiny Miracles’ founders recognized the lack of emotional, educational, financial, and practical support available for NICU families. Today, Tiny Miracles provides comprehensive support and assistance to the families of pre-term infants in 6 partner hospitals throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties. Through its programs, The Tiny Miracles Foundation strives to improve the lives, care and outcomes of children born too early, and those who love and care for them.
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