2009 Gala
Family Voices Gala
One Heart, Many Voices: Celebrating Families!
The Family Voices' Gala was a smashing success! Attended by family members, numerous youth, partner organization staff and board members, legislators, and other friends of Family Voices, the event celebrated families through beautiful song, great food, and fantastic fellowship.
Held on the evening of Monday, February 23, 2009 in conjunction with the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Conference at the lovely Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC, the Gala honored and celebrated the work and people of Family Voices. Mark Trombino, a TV, film, and voice actor whose motto is "embrace difference, don't hide from it!" served as the evening's emcee, and LJ Nguyen provided the guests with two lovely songs, one dedicated to those who the caregivers and friends of children & youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities and another dedicated to CYSHCN and disabilities themselves.
We honored Pro Football Hall of Fame member and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly in recognition of his work raising awareness of and promoting Universal Newborn Screening, presented by Dr. R. Rodney Howell. Yoshiko Dart presented the award to the Fialka-Feldman family for their tireless advocacy on behalf of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities; and Mallory Cyr presented the award to Peters D. Willson, retired Vice-President for Public Policy at NACHRI, for his work with children's hospitals on behalf of all children and their families.
Proceeds from the Gala help family and youth leaders across the country to continue their important work supporting families who have children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Top photo: Yoshiko Dart presents award to the Fialka Feldman family.
Middle photo: Dr. R. Rodney Howell presents award to Jim Kelly.
Bottom photo: Emcee Mark Trombino stands with Mallory Cyr as she presents award to Peters Willson.