The Connecticut Children’s Foundation hosted its exciting Golden Ticket Gala at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, bringing together celebrities, community leaders, and generous supporters for a night of fun, fashion, and giving back. This annual event raised critical funds for Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only hospital dedicated exclusively to pediatric care, and ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The night wasn’t just about looking good—it was all about raising money to help kids. Connecticut Children’s provides life-saving treatments and cutting-edge care for children across Connecticut, and this year’s gala aimed to support their efforts even further.
The event had a cool Willy Wonka theme that set the tone for the evening, starting with a cocktail reception, followed by a delicious dinner, live entertainment, and a live auction packed with amazing prizes. Guests were treated to a red carpet experience, where stars from TV and film joined the fun to support Connecticut Children’s mission. Jason Ritter and David Del Rio, known for their roles in Matlock, and The West Wing’s Richard Schiff were among the big names showing up to raise awareness. Actor Jimmy Akingbola, famous for playing Geoffrey in Bel-Air, also attended, along with producer Fernando Ferro and PR expert Jane Owen. Comedian Brent Morin made an entrance in a Willy Wonka costume, bringing some extra fun to the evening and showing off his Connecticut pride.
Paulanne Jushkevich, President of the Connecticut Children’s Foundation, thanked everyone for their contributions, emphasizing how their support helps the hospital push the boundaries of pediatric care and make sure every child receives the best possible care.
One of the most exciting moments of the evening was the Bid for Kids live auction. All the money raised went toward funding the new Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit, part of a brand-new eight-story clinical tower being built in Hartford. This new unit will provide crucial treatments like bone marrow transplants, allowing families to get these life-saving treatments without having to travel out of state. In fact, the gala raised an incredible $2.6 million, three times more than expected, proving just how generous the attendees were.
Guests also had the chance to bid on amazing items during the silent auction, which included cool stuff from brands like La Roche-Posay, Cover Girl, and exclusive memorabilia from the New York Giants and Mets. Everyone also got to meet the doctors and healthcare professionals who work at Connecticut Children’s, learning how their donations will help provide even better care for kids in the future.
The Golden Ticket Gala has earned the title of “Best Charity Event” in the region for four of the past five years, thanks to the hard work of the gala planning team and the support of sponsors like SouthOcean Capital Partners. Other sponsors included All Waste Inc. and The Manafort Family Foundation.
By the end of the night, the funds raised would go directly to support Connecticut Children’s, ensuring that the hospital can continue offering groundbreaking treatments, expert care, and innovative research to kids across the state. The event was a huge success, showing how much the community cares about providing exceptional healthcare to the next generation.
