Staatsburg, New York…Anderson Foundation for Autism has announced that registration is now open for its 2025 Gala, sponsored by Pamal Broadcasting, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, and NFP. The event will be held on Saturday, November 1st at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, with the cocktail hour beginning at 6:30pm, and dinner, dancing, and a program starting at 7:30pm. Honorees this year are longtime Anderson parent volunteers, philanthropists, and advocates Kevin and Katy Kollar, residents of the Town of Rhinebeck, New York.
Among several annual fundraisers hosted by Anderson Foundation for Autism, the 2025 gala event is expected to draw approximately 300 guests and raise over $200,000. Proceeds support the educational, vocational, residential and clinical services at Anderson Center for Autism, furthering the organizational mission, which is to “optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.”
Said Patrick Paul, CEO and Executive Director of Anderson Center for Autism, “It will be an extraordinary privilege to honor Katy and Kevin Kollar, who embody the qualities we all hope to emulate. These longtime Anderson Center for Autism parents have worked tirelessly to help us grow and evolve. They lead with integrity, insightfulness, and a genuine desire to build a culture of acceptance and inclusivity; they are extremely deserving of the 2025 VV Anderson Community Service Award, and we are all looking forward to acknowledging their contributions.”
Katy Kollar, a graduate of Manhattan College, has served as both President and Vice President of Anderson Family Partners. Her service work has also included a year volunteering at a women’s shelter in Sitka, Alaska as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Kollar is currently a member of the Southlands Foundation Board, where she focuses on the unmounted equine therapy program. An employee at Starr Library, Kollar co-facilitates a monthly All-Abilities Program in addition to spending free time supporting many other community initiatives that promote inclusion.
Kevin Kollar, a graduate of Providence College, has likewise held a number of volunteer leadership positions since 2013 when their son became a resident at Anderson Center for Autism. He has served as a trustee for Anderson Center International, was a co-founder of Anderson Family Partners, and has been Chairman of Anderson Foundation for Autism for the past decade. Professionally, Kollar has over 30 years of global leadership experience in the financial technology industry, currently working as Senior Vice President at FIS Global, which is based in New York.
Katy and Kevin Kollar have three adult children: Cameron, Grace, and Owen, and recently welcomed son-in-law Eric to the family (Grace). When not working or volunteering, the couple loves to travel, read, and explore the Catskills.
Said Eliza Bozenski, Chief Development Officer at Anderson Foundation for Autism, “Our gala is always equal parts fun and inspiring – adjectives I would also use to describe Katy and Kevin Kollar. The two of them radiate the kind of warmth that engages everyone in their path – and their steadfast commitment to advocacy, fundraising, community-building, and enriching life for the people we serve is infectious. We are so grateful for all that the Kollar family has done to elevate our cause, and look forward to selling out the gala in their honor.”
Bozenski added, “In addition to honoring the Kollars, we will also present two members of Anderson Center for Autism’s team with Above and Beyond Awards – one who works in our adult programs, and one who works in our children’s programs (the names of those award recipients are yet to be announced). So the gala is a celebration of several inspiring people – and, as always, a festive event that attracts people from all walks of life who share a passion for our mission. We hope to raise over $200,000 this year; proceeds support our many programs and services, and we’re thankful to all who contribute to the success of this wonderful tradition.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 31 are now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which presents with a range of communication, socialization, and behavioral differences. Originally established as a school, Anderson Center for Autism today provides educational, residential, clinical, vocational, and consulting/training services and shares expertise with people worldwide.
For more information and to purchase tickets/sponsorships, call 845.889.9208 or visitAndersonCenterforAutism.org/Gala.
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.