NORWALK, Conn. (PRWEB)
May 04, 2021

Henry Winkler to Host Reception for VIP Ticketholders

Norwalk, CT (PRWeb) May 4, 2021 – Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. [SKLD] will hold its Annual Benefit Gala, MAKE WAVES, as a virtual event via Zoom Live on Thursday, May 13. The pre-show starts at 6:00 p.m., and the awards program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Chris Bogart, Co-Executive Director of the Sasco River Center, and President of the Board of SKLD, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

The 2021 Professional Achievement Award will be presented to Leslie Josel, an ADHD academic and parenting coach, and the founder of Order Out of Chaos – https://www.orderoochaos.com/ – a virtual company that helps parents guide their students to success in learning, and in life. Josel is the creator of the award-winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management, a planning and organizational tool designed to help students with learning differences, and an award-winning author of three books, including the recently published How to Do It Now Because It’s Not Going Away: An Expert Guide to Getting Stuff Done.

Dave Sylvestro, a founding staff member of Eagle Hill School, Greenwich, and a part-time school psychologist at The Southport School in Southport, CT will receive the Smart Kids with LD Community Service Award. Sylvestro became a founding staff member of Eagle Hill School in Greenwich in 1975. He continued to work there and later, at The Southport School (formerly, Eagle Hill Southport) for 47 years as a teacher, coach, dorm supervisor, advisor, and head of the Psychology Services department. Sylvestro continues to provide part-time support for both students and parents as a school psychologist at The Southport School.

“I continue to be drawn to working with our kids because of their incredible courage, talent, and spirit, and with their families for pretty much the same reasons,” said Sylvestro.

Master of Ceremonies Dr. Chris Bogart, is the Co-Executive Director of the Sasco River Center in Darien, Wilton, and Stamford, CT and the Board President of SKLD. He has worked with children, adolescents, and parents for the past 25 years as a licensed clinical psychologist, conducting comprehensive psychoeducational and ADHD evaluations, and therapy.

During the Gala celebration, the Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards will be given to a diverse group of student winners from around the country. The awards recognize an individual student’s remarkable talents and achievements, despite his or her struggles in school. The top Youth Achievement Award is for $1,000.

SKLD Honorary Chairman Henry Winkler, Golden Globe award-winning actor, director, and author, will chat with guests at 6:00 p.m. during a special VIP Reception for sponsors, and guests who purchase $500 tickets. Gala tickets are available either without charge, or for $100, $250, and $500, including prize package drawings. Tickets may be purchased at – https://smartkidswld.schoolauction.net/2021gala/register/ticket_sales.

The evening’s virtual Gala will be conducted via Zoom Live and will include a pre-show at 6:00 pm featuring Blake Poon, the mixologist at Sono 1420 Craft Distillery, who will prepare cocktails using the distillery’s Vo Vodka. The awards program will begin at 6:30, and will include a live auction and the award presentations. A silent Wine & Spirits auction will open on May 11.

The Live Auction items include:

• A tasting menu for six prepared and served by nationally celebrated chef Matt Storch, at Match Restaurant in South Norwalk, CT;
• An evening on Broadway, featuring premium tickets for Jagged Little Pill and a dining certificate for $250 at Sardi’s Restaurant;
• A week-long vacation for eight people at a 16th-century palazzo in Cortona, Italy, site of the film and book, Under the Tuscan Sun.

The Gold Sponsor of the gala is The Wooster School in Danbury, CT. Silver Sponsors are the Sasco River Center in Darien, Wilton and Stamford, CT; Marc Hoffman, Author, Educator, Speaker; and Fairfield County Bank. Bronze Sponsors include Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, CT; Winston Prep School in Norwalk, CT; Order Out of Chaos; Sari and Jay Canell; and The Southport School.

About Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc.:

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. is a Norwalk, CT-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with learning and attention issues fulfill their potential by inspiring, educating, and empowering parents via its educational programs, award-winning website and blog, youth mentoring programs, and free e-newsletter at http://www.SmartKidswithLD.org. Honorary Board members include former CT Governor Dannel Malloy, Anne Ford, Chairman Emerita of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and Dr. Ben Powers, Head of The Southport School. Henry Winkler, Golden Globe award-winning actor, director, and author, serves as the organization’s Honorary Chairman.

For more information, visit – http://www.SmartKidswithLD.org -.