More than $8,000 was raised to benefit two local groups, Waban’s new Autism Therapy Wing currently under construction at the Fraser-Ford Child Development Center, and Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, a program that provides Autism Service Dogs.
The Yorkshire Ballroom was alive with dancing, refreshments and raffles while the Oceanview Dining Room displayed an enticing collection of silent auction items that included weekend getaways, leather purses, home décor and so much more.
Aime from Aime’s Twist & Paint made fantastic balloon animals and flowers to entertain the children and many faces sported the creative artwork of Brenda Kiberd of Imagination Faces.
Those same faces were mesmerized by the fantastic salt water iQuarium from Aqua-Theatre donated by Eddie Hanson with a living “Nemo” fish, colorful LED lights and video background, complete with dancing water in the speakers.
Jillian Scaccia, Perry Kim and Carter Short each took a turn at center stage, entertaining the crowd by singing favorite songs and then the dance floor filled back up again as organizers Greg and Christa Silva led the whole group in a line dance, which has become a tradition at this annual event.
Each April, the York Harbor Inn celebrates “Light It Up Blue” along with the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day. “Light It Up Blue” is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism and the people it affects.
Silva is already planning for next year’s event, which will be the 5th annual event
“I am, as always, extremely humbled and proud of this amazing event. I am blessed and thankful for everyone who donated goods, services and their time to this wonderful event,” he said. “A special thank you to all the volunteers and staff, the York Harbor Inn for allowing us to host this great night, and thanks to everyone for attending. Your support means everything. We’ve got something really special planned for next year.”
This year’s event brought the total raised over the last for years to more than $38,000, distributed locally to various autism charities supporting children and families in Maine.
According to Silva, thanks also are in order for Clark Sillery from Fred Pappalardo DJs, Chef Gerry Bonsey, Paul Houser and Chad Manning for the delicious food, Kate’s Bakery for the adorable little blue cupcakes and whoopee pies, and volunteers from The York Harbor Inn and Waban Projects, alog with The Maine to Boston Photo Booth which afforded everyone the opportunity to carry away a free memory of the night.
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