The New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) announces the organization’s Annual Benefit Gala to be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Hilton Mystic in Mystic, CT. This year’s gala theme is “Dear NESS” and will be filled with NESS student stories and the impact donors make on their lives. Funds raised at the gala are used to support NESS’s annual fund and provide scholarships to keep NESS inclusive and accessible. New England Science and Sailing Hosts Annual Benefit Gala
NESS, a nationally-recognized and award-winning nonprofit ocean adventure education organization, provides students of all ages with year-round ocean adventure programming that includes marine science, sailing, and water sports. NESS scholastic programs support teachers’ STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) curricula with a unique combination of on-the-water and in-the-classroom lessons intended to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. In 2018, NESS became the first school partner program to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The annual benefit gala is an opportunity for the NESS community, supporters, and friends to come together and celebrate NESS’s success and ensure NESS can continue its award-winning programming.
The Gala will begin with cocktails and a unique silent auction collection and a virtual giving tree. After dinner, the evening will culminate with an exciting live auction and paddle raise. Keeping in line with NESS’s experience-based education, the silent and live auction items will feature a variety of unique experiences for bidders.
NESS President Spike Lobdell commented, “there aren’t too many activities more empowering than putting kids in boats – sailing, kayaking, surfing, jumping off and snorkeling – many times digging deep to overcome fears and anxieties – then returning to shore – safe, and with a new level of confidence. We get students thinking for themselves and create a new challenging environment where they believe they ‘can.’ These opportunities are available to too few children these days, and at NESS we are committed to offering these experiences to students from all walks of life.”
Tickets ($150) and a variety of sponsorship opportunities are available online at www.nessf.org/gala. For questions and inquiries, contact Jenny Demeter at 860-535-9362 x 127 or give@nessf.org.
About NESS
The New England Science & Sailing Foundation, Inc. (NESS), is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) ocean adventure education organization that engages students in experiential learning to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. Marine sciences, adventure sports, powerboating, and sailing are platforms for inquiry-based learning, personal discovery, teaching respect and responsibility for the sea, and creating connections with the community. NESS operates year-round with families, schools, and organizations to provide high-quality programs that blend an innovative curriculum with exciting ocean adventure activities. For more information, visit www.nessf.org.
