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On November 2, 2024, the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford transformed into a Willy Wonka wonderland as the Connecticut Children’s Foundation hosted its much-anticipated Golden Ticket Gala. The annual charity event attracted an impressive roster of celebrities, community leaders, and passionate advocates, all gathering to raise vital funds for Connecticut Children’s Hospital—recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals and the only healthcare system in the state exclusively dedicated to children.
More than just an enchanting evening of fine dining and entertainment, the gala sought to secure essential resources that support Connecticut Children’s mission of delivering innovative and personalized care, specifically to create their advanced cellular and gene therapy unit. With the generosity of attendees, the foundation aims to expand its clinical services and offer groundbreaking treatments, ensuring that every child in Connecticut can receive the care they need at their institution, regardless of their circumstances.
Embracing a whimsical Willy Wonka theme, the gala featured a delightful cocktail reception, a dinner, Connecticut-based entertainment, and an exciting live auction. Guests were welcomed with a touch of Hollywood glam as stars showed their unwavering support for the foundation's goal of providing healthcare “Beyond Imagination.” Attendees were thrilled to see familiar faces from big and small screens.
The event brought together an impressive mix of talent, in part due to the invitation from Connecticut Children’s Foundation board member and renowned Hollywood publicist Jane Owen and her husband, Emmy-nominated film and TV director and producer Fernando Ferro.
Among the attendees were Matlock co-stars Jason Ritter and David Del Rio, whose on-screen chemistry has fans hooked.
They mingled alongside The West Wing’s Richard Schiff, who recently appeared at both the White House and the Emmys, before making his way to Connecticut with his wife, Sheila Kelley, who stars with him on The Good Doctor.
Bel-Air’s Jimmy Akingbola, beloved for his cool, reimagined take on Geoffrey, also made an appearance, as did Connecticut’s own Brent Morin, famed for his Netflix special I Am Brent Morin, who turned heads by performing his duties as Master of Ceremonies in a meticulously sourced Willy Wonka costume from the Warner Bros. costume department, blending humor and hometown pride in perfect measure.
UCONN basketball coach Dan Hurley embodied the spirit of athletic dedication to charitable causes, while Flaked star David Sullivan joined the festivities. ESPN’s finest—including basketball analyst Seth Greenberg, NFL insider Field Yates, anchor Jay Harris, sports host Elle Duncan, and reporter Gary Striewski—rounded out the guest list, underscoring the event’s strong support from the sports media community.
Paulanne Jushkevich, president of the Connecticut Children’s Foundation, addressed the crowd with heartfelt gratitude, acknowledging the community's immense support and the distinguished guests in attendance. She highlighted the gala's pivotal role in advancing pediatric care and research in the field of cellular and gene therapy, underscoring the hope and healing that it brings to families throughout the region. “We are incredibly grateful to our community of supporters and the many notable figures who are joining us to raise awareness and much-needed funds,” said Paulanne.
The evening's main event was the “Bid for Kids” live auction, where attendees had the opportunity to directly contribute to a critical initiative: the Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit. This cutting-edge facility, part of a new eight-story clinical tower currently under construction, will allow children to receive life-saving pediatric bone marrow transplants right in Hartford, sparing families the burden of traveling far from home for such essential care.
Guests were also given the unique opportunity to connect with dedicated healthcare professionals from Connecticut Children’s, who shared stories illustrating the profound impact of the attendees’ contributions. This personal engagement reinforced the evening's purpose and the tangible difference their support makes in the lives of children and families.
Having been honored as the region’s Best Charity Event for four out of the past five years, the gala’s success can be attributed to the tireless efforts of the Gala Planning Committee and the generosity of its sponsors. SouthOcean Capital Partners returned as the Presenting Sponsor, with All Waste Inc. supporting as the Hatful of Dreams Wi-Fi sponsor, among other key sponsors like Rotha, The Manafort Family Foundation, and more.
The funds raised during the gala will be directed toward advancing research and technology at Connecticut Children’s, ensuring that every child receives expert, compassionate care tailored to their individual needs.
In a matter of hours the gala surpassed all expectations, raising an impressive $2.68 million far exceeding the initial goal and showcasing the overwhelming support from attendees and donors. The funds came flooding in from generous donors and also fun contributions from bids on both silent and live auctions that included everything from skincare bundles of the world renowned La Roche-Posay to a once in a lifetime LEGO experience touring the LEGO headquarters with the CEO. Lucky bidders went home with everything from jewelry to memorabilia to travel experiences to Mets baseball tickets and more importantly with the knowledge that they had also contributed to the success of the night and the funds for the amazing work of the hospital.
The Connecticut Children’s Hospital Foundation reinforced its mission of supporting the only healthcare system in Connecticut fully devoted to pediatric care. With a commitment to improving healthcare access from birth through adolescence, Connecticut Children’s continues to push boundaries through innovative research and community partnerships.
As the gala drew to a close, it was clear that the event had not only celebrated the generosity of its supporters but had also set a course for transformative advancements in pediatric healthcare, ensuring every child in Connecticut has access to the care they deserve to thrive. The evening was a true testament to the power of community and compassion, shining a light on the path forward for the next generation.