Congratulations and special thanks to the Eighteenth Annual Spring Benefit Committee for their tremendous effort and tireless commitment to the school. Chairperson Caroline McMahon and her committee organized a beautiful event at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, successfully raising more than $175,000 to support the school’s programs and services.

John and Kathy Nye, owners of Dawson and Nye auction and appraisal firm, shared stories from celebrity and private collector sales, provided tidbits on “how to bid,” appraised selected guests’ heirlooms during the luncheon presentation, and held a live auction during the evening event.

This year’s benefit recognized and honored Betsy Patterson, who is well known throughout the community for her service through the Junior League of Summit and her volunteer efforts with The Connection for Women & Families, Senior Connections, and the Overlook Hospital Foundation. Betsy has been a long time friend of Summit Speech School and has served on the school’s Board of Trustees, the Spring Benefit Committee, and chaired the Ninth Annual Spring Benefit. She is also a member of the school’s Heritage Society and served as a Writing Wrally Writer.

Generous underwriting support was received from Sandy Hill Foundation, Pluckemin Inn, C.R. Bard, Bayview Foundation, The Provident Bank Foundation, Loondance Foundation, Betsy and John Patterson, Distinctive Dentistry, Schering-Plough, Celgene Corporation, and MCJ Foundation. The auctions were a bounty that included vacations, sporting event tickets, gourmet dinning, and gift certificates donated by families and friends. This year’s raffle included a diamond circle pendant donated by Hartgers Jewelers, a Kazak rug donated by Gallery of Rugs, and an iPhone donated by Karen and Ted Walsh.