PRINCETON, NJ (January 25, 2017) – Eden Autism will host its 29th annual Eden Dreams Gala at the Hyatt Regency Princeton on Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 6:00 to 12:00 pm.
Join us for our annual gala and travel to a place attainable only through Eden Dreams: Beyond the Stars. Guests will gather to chase dreams into a sky that has no limits and to celebrate Eden and the individuals it serves. We are excited to welcome Lucy Noland, anchor at Fox 29, as Master of Ceremonies and Central Park the Band. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, and dancing and the opportunity to bid on silent auction items such as the Hamilton ticket and hotel package. This storied event has kicked off the new year in the greater Princeton community for over two decades and is one of Eden’s most visible fundraisers. Visit edendreams.org for more information.
Since its inception, Eden Dreams has represented a time or place that can be visited only through one’s imagination. Over the years, guests have been transported to such faraway places as Atlantis, Camelot, and Tír na nÓg making this among the most unique events in town. This year’s theme BEYOND THE STARS: An evening of chasing dreams into a sky that has no limits will also be one to remember. The event has raised over $3 million to support Eden’s programs for children, adults, families, and professionals who are touched by autism.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions to Eden’s mission, Rush D. Holt and The Princeton Windrows Community will be honored with the Friends of Eden Visionary and Guardian awards respectively. Past honorees include corporate citizens and community leaders such as the Hyatt Regency Princeton, Munich Re, Wawa, Peter Dawson, and Nora Orphanides.
Rush D. Holt, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and executive publisher of the Science family of journals, leads the world’s largest multi‐disciplinary scientific and engineering society. A founding member of the Congressional Caucus on Autism, Holt worked to educate legislators about autism and the shortfall in funding autism research. In 2001, Congressman Holt facilitated collaboration between Eden and the US Office of Education for the purpose of making the Eden Curriculum more widely available to public and private schools. In 2010, Holt was on hand to help Eden celebrate 35 years of service.
The Princeton Windrows Community, which sits adjacent to the Eden School in Princeton Forrestal Village, has been a friend since 2007 when a small group of spirited residents joined their neighbor, the Reverend Dr. Richard S. Armstrong, in Eden’s 5K and Fun Run/Walk. A public relations, fundraising, and community‐building expert extraordinaire, Reverend Armstrong dubbed the group the “Windrows Wonders” and by 2012 the team had grown to over 140 members including Windrows residents, staff, and their families – many of whom also walked or ran in the Fun Run and 5K. In the years since, the Windrows community has collectively contributed some $100,000 for Eden’s programs and operations.
“Recipients of Eden’s Friends of Eden Visionary and Guardian Awards exemplify the important role that critical
thinkers, advocates, and influencers play in advancing Eden’s mission. We are grateful to Rush Holt for his
demonstrated leadership and to our Windrows neighbors for their outstanding generosity. Eden is proud to honor these
individuals at this year’s Eden Dreams,” said Peter Bell, Eden’s President & CEO.
For more on this year’s Eden Dreams gala, please visit edendreams.org
