New York, NY and Staatsburg, NY —The executive leadership team of Anderson Center for Autism today announced that the nonprofit was honored at the Autism Speaks Celebrity Chef Gala on March 31st. The event, now in its 19th year, was held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, New York, and welcomed a wide range of guests, including autism professionals, families, Fortune 500 executives, philanthropists, chefs, mixologists, and other supporters of Autism Speaks and Anderson Center for Autism.
Said Patrick Paul, CEO and Executive Director of Anderson Center for Autism, “It was an honor to be recognized by a visionary organization like Autism Speaks, and we are very grateful to have been selected for this recognition. Their work to help shift our society from a place of autism awareness to autism acceptance has positively impacted the lives of so many touched by the diagnosis, and has helped entire agencies like Anderson Center for Autism thrive as well.”
The gala, which has raised over $20 million for Autism Speaks since its inception, featured chefs from across the country preparing dishes tableside for guests, with proceeds supporting programs that advance employment, research, and lifelong support for autistic people and families.
Eliza Bozenski, Chief Development Officer of Anderson Foundation for Autism, reflected, “This is a unique, elegant, and inspiring tradition, and it was truly a privilege to have Anderson Center for Autism showcased in a room full of people deeply committed to our cause. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who was involved in planning or sponsoring this wonderful experience, and to all who traveled from near and far to celebrate with us. Our special thanks go out to Jennifer Caserta Priore and Barry Feirstein, who co-chaired the Celebrity Chef Gala and who have also both been generous longtime supporters of Anderson as well.”
Keith Wargo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Autism Speaks, said, “The Autism Speaks Celebrity Chef Gala is an important moment to recognize the leaders driving our community forward every day. Anderson Center for Autism has been a steadfast partner in advancing acceptance, expanding opportunity, and demonstrating what meaningful, lifelong support looks like in practice. We are proud to honor their extraordinary impact and to stand alongside organizations that are actively building a more inclusive future for autistic people and their families.”
“The Autism Speaks Celebrity Chef Gala is not just a single evening of celebration, but an ongoing movement to recognize the leaders who are helping to move our community forward every day. Anderson Center for Autism has been a steadfast partner in advancing acceptance, expanding opportunity and demonstrating what meaningful, lifelong support can look like in practice. We are proud to honor their extraordinary impact and to stand alongside organizations that are not only raising awareness, but building a more inclusive future for autistic people and their families.”
In addition to the award presentation, the Autism Speaks Celebrity Chef Gala featured a special performance by Abbey Romeo. Romeo is part of the cast of “Love on the Spectrum,” an Emmy-award-winning series that highlights the dating journeys of autistic adults.
Noted Dr. Tina Marie Covington, Chief Operating Officer at Anderson Center for Autism: “These types of events are critically important to helping us advance our mission. In addition to raising funds, everyone in the room is reminded that each of us has the power to help optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families, simply by finding ways to be more open, inclusive, and accommodating. We are thrilled to see so many people getting behind the work of organizations like Autism Speaks and Anderson Center for Autism, among so many other like-minded nonprofits.”
Founded over 100 years ago in 1924, Anderson Center for Autism offers evidence-based educational, vocational, residential, and consulting/training programs, drawing students and residents from all over the United States to experience its school and residential offerings. Affiliates of the agency include Anderson Center International (ACI), Anderson Center Consulting and Training (ACCT), The Anderson Center Clinic (ACC), and three Anderson Early Learning Academy (AELA) programs. In addition, Anderson Foundation for Autism (AFA) helps to support and sustain the aforementioned programs and services through fundraising, grants, and marketing. AFA also offers a grantmaking opportunity for eligible organizations in need of funds for programs that reflect a commitment to Anderson’s mission.
Learn more at andersoncenterforautism.org.
About Anderson Center for Autism
Our mission at Anderson Center for Autism is to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.
About Anderson Foundation for Autism
Through grantmaking, fundraising, and marketing initiatives, Anderson Foundation for Autism helps support, sustain, and expand upon Anderson Center for Autism’s efforts to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.
About Autism Speaks
In partnership with autistic people, Autism Speaks works to create an inclusive world and redefine possible for people with autism across their lifespan. As the largest autism organization in the U.S., Autism Speaks has spent more than two decades driving research, expanding services, and shaping policy to improve quality of life. Each year, the organization connects millions of autistic people and their families to free resources, advocacy and support, while working across sectors to advance disability inclusion and opportunity. Learn more at AutismSpeaks.org and follow @AutismSpeaks on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.