THANK YOU: RE: GALA (MARCH 26,2011)

THANK YOU:  RE: GALA (MARCH 26,2011)

Post from Amy Amico (CAC President)

On Saturday, March 26, the Cranbury Arts Council celebrated its 2011 Spring Gala at the Crown Plaza in Monroe. This event was the major fundraiser for the CAC and many people helped to make it a wonderful occasion. The CAC has been reinvigorated with many new members who believe in the mission set in place over ten years ago by two women who set out to save the music program at the Cranbury School, Sue Leson and Marty Hayden. From its early beginnings, the organization has built upon its principles to remain an all-volunteer non-profit that supports and shares the arts with the community. The Middlesex County Youth Shelter Arts Program, The Gourgaud Gallery, The Art & Technology Camp, Art in the Park, Cranstock Music Festival, Scholarships, Art Workshops, Winter Theatre Camp and many other community events held throughout the year are possible because of our members who Chair and join the committees as true volunteers and make these CAC programs happen.

Joanne Hanson, Past President and Chairperson for the Gala, along with Gala committee members Karen Callahan, Jill Gabriello, Penny Lecky, Grace Thompson and CAC Treasurer Kerrie Liggio, organized the Gala and created a fabulous evening. Along with the Gourgaud Gallery committee, who organized the Silent Art Auction, the Gala Committee presented many great offerings in the Silent Auction that helped raise the money that keeps all of these programs available to the community.

The last CAC Gala was held four years ago and even though we live in a different economic climate, the CAC organization wishes to thank those who attended, bid on items, worked behind the scenes with their time and talents and all of the families and local businesses that donated items to the Silent Auction as well as the sponsors who offered very generous cash donations. To those who could not attend, but still sent in their donations to support us, we thank you as well.

Cranbury is a generous community and those who took part in our fundraiser are to be commended for your community involvement and your appreciation for the arts and its importance in our lives. Art, music, theatre, dance and all forms of creative expression are what make us see, hear and feel beauty in our lives and should never be taken for granted. The Cranbury Arts Council is a treasure in our community and I am proud to be a part of it. Along with my fellow Board members, VP Colleen Cahill, Secretary  Cyndy Coppotelli, and Treasurer Kerrie Liggio, we offer many thanks to all those who volunteer in this organization. Because of these true volunteers, I believe the CAC will thrive and continue to be an organization that follows its mission to keep the arts alive and well in Cranbury well into the future.

Thank you Cranbury,

Amy Amico

CAC President