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“Everybody loves to get dressed up and have an enjoyable night out,’’ said Perry, who is involved with putting together the final pieces for this year’s event on April 6 at The Amber Room in Danbury. “It’s exciting to let them get dressed up, enjoy the night and just share the excitement.”
The theme for this year’s gala is “Dream Under The Sea,’’ and will include dining, dancing, cocktail hour, silent auction, open bar and live auction. Tickets are $150, and can be ordered online.
The event benefits seriously, chronically and terminally ill children. Dream Come True, founded in 1984, has granted more than 250 dreams to children from Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven Counties.
“The children and their families are so appreciative of the dreams they have received,’’ Perry said. “That comes out at the gala. In the past, we’ve had siblings give a speech, or sometimes if a child is able to, they will give a speech. We try to do 25-30 dreams a year. It’s amazing when you get to meet one of these kids.”
While the Dream Come True children realize the benefit, the gala patrons enjoy the atmosphere and see tangible evidence that their support is going to a good cause.
“It’s very rewarding to put the two together,’’ Perry said. “It’s amazing how people are touched by their story. It’s a nice way to connect personally. Every donation makes a difference.”
The gala has become so successful that many of the guests support the cause each year. “I couldn’t pick a favorite,’’ Perry said. “All of the galas have been fantastic but this year’s will top them all.”
Perry’s connected to the event on a lot of levels, but perhaps none more so than a mother. “I was blessed with healthy kids,’’ she said. “So many others aren’t. The things they go through on a daily basis, we can’t event comprehend. To know that we can do things for these children and have a wonderful evening, it’s a very rewarding feeling. It’s really amazing.”
