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Kennedy Center Leader Feted, $170,000 Raised At Four Seasons Ball In Wilton

TRUMBULL, Conn. — The Kennedy Center raised about $170,000 for its residential services for people with disabilities and celebrated its longtime leader at the 53rd annual Four Seasons Ball.

Martin Schwartz, left, celebrates this special moment with his wife Elaine, son Michael of Scarsdale, New York, and daughter Allyson Mandelbaum of Fairfield.

Martin Schwartz, left, celebrates this special moment with his wife Elaine, son Michael of Scarsdale, New York, and daughter Allyson Mandelbaum of Fairfield.

Photo Credit: Contributed

A sold-out crowd of 300 congratulated Martin Schwartz, the first president and CEO of The Kennedy Center, who has led the organization since 1978.

Schwartz will retire in January.

“Marty is a man for all season,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “He started this work when people were not paying much attention to people with disabilities. He built awareness and called attention to people who often are overlooked. He truly created a national model for success.”

Chaired by Michele Macauda and Richard Burke of Monroe, the popular gala was held at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton.

Started as a grassroots nonprofit by namesake Evelyn Kennedy and 12 parents in 1951, the Trumbull-based Kennedy Center serves more than 2,000 individuals and is one of the largest rehabilitation organizations in the state.

As part of the evening’s festivities, Fund the Future donations were collected and will be used for a new communications system at the organization’s headquarters. The center also announced the Reservoir Avenue building will be named in honor of Schwartz.

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