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The event to benefit The Kennedy Center's Residential Services will be Saturday, Nov. 5, at Rolling Hills Country Club, 333 Hurlbutt St., Wilton.
This popular ball will recognize Tribute Journal honorees Nancy and Joe Dennin of Trumbull, and Bonnie and Steve Smith of Shelton.
Both couples have shown exceptional dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. In addition, they are both parents of a child with disabilities and have volunteered and supported The Kennedy Center for many decades.
Black tie is optional but elegant attire is requested for one of the longest running charity galas in Fairfield County. This year’s dramatic theme is “Black & White.”
It begins at 7 p.m., with a social hour with hors d’oeuvres, followed by a full-course dinner and dancing to the band Cracked Ice until midnight.
Bonnie and Steve Smith of Shelton met while they were students at Syracuse University. Since then, they have juggled demanding professional careers while raising a family and giving back to the community.
Their daughter, Alison, is a consumer of The Kennedy Center. They also have a son, Brian, who is married to Adrienne, and two grandsons.
Steve is currently a board member of The Kennedy Center and previously served as Board Chair. He chairs the Marketing Committee and has served on the Board Advisory, Long Range Strategic Planning, Nominating and Golf Committees.
He was on the organizing committee for the Special Olympics World Games in 1995 and subsequently served nine years on the Board of Directors of SOCT, two years as Board Chair. He received the Susan St. James Award for Leadership and has been inducted into the Special Olympics Connecticut Hall of Fame.
In addition to a bachelor's in marketing from Syracuse, he holds a master's in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has operated Smith & Company, Market Research Consultants for the past 30 years.
Bonnie has recently retired from the Savings Bank of Danbury, where she was vice president of human resources for the past 19 years. She also spent nine years on the Board of Directors of SOCT, where she chaired the Human Resources Committee.
She has been inducted into the Shriver Society which recognizes individuals who are major supporters of the organization. Bonnie also serves on the Employer Advisory Committee for The Bridge to Independence and Career Opportunities, which assists lower-income women find meaningful employment.
In 2015, she was named a Woman of FIRE by the Commercial Record, which recognizes women in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate sectors who have made a difference in their community.
Bonnie has volunteered at the Kennedy Center’s Autism SpectRUN and served on the committee for the Four Seasons Ball. In addition to a bachelor's in journalism and political science from Syracuse, Bonnie also holds a master's in counseling and human resources from the University of Bridgeport.
Tickets for the Four Seasons Ball are $200 per person and can be ordered online at www.thekennedycenterinc.org. For more information, call 203.365.8522, Ext. 213.
Proceeds from the ball will benefit The Kennedy Center’s residential services for people with disabilities, including: 16 group homes; a supported living option program, a family support and respite service, and the Caring for the Caregiver Program that offers support for parents of family members who are developmentally disabled.
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