Dear Friends,
Thank you for joining us and for your incredible support of State Theatre New Jersey’s 2024 Annual Benefit Gala! We are beyond thrilled to welcome everyone back to the theater for this event for the first time since 2019.
This evening is our most important fundraising event of the year, and we thank you for being a part of it. The support of friends like you, who believe in our mission, enables State Theatre to present renowned international artists, sustain arts education programs that enrich children from pre-K through grade 12, and continue the work of overcoming barriers to arts access.
Tonight, we recognize and pay tribute to two exceptional honorees: Middlesex County Administrator John Pulomena alongside NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co. and The DiLeo Family Foundation. Their dedicated commitment has had a remarkable impact on State Theatre and our community for many years, ensuring the performing arts are accessible and affordable to people of all ages and backgrounds. Our sincere thanks go to each of our honorees for their exemplary leadership in philanthropy, advocacy for our nonprofit organization, and their vision to elevate the arts in our community.
We thank the Gala Committee for working to make this year’s Gala a success, and our Gala Co-Chairs, Wendy Wiebalk and Steven Cahn, for their steadfast commitment to State Theatre.
On behalf of the State Theatre Board of Trustees, staff, and volunteers, we thank you for your generous support and for joining us for this special evening of celebration.
With gratitude,
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| Sarah K. Chaplin President & CEO | John S. Fitzgerald Chair, Board of Trustees |
Good Evening STNJ Friends and Supporters,
We are so happy to welcome you back to the beautiful State Theatre New Jersey, polished up and looking her best, after several years of collaborative fundraising and renovation efforts have rendered her more gorgeous than ever!
Tonight, we thank and honor John Pulomena, the Middlesex County Administrator, as our Arts Advocate Honoree for being our partner and liaison throughout our restoration process. We also thank and honor NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co. and The DiLeo Family Foundation as our corporate honorees for their ongoing support of STNJ and its mission to make the arts accessible to our diverse audience.
We would be remiss if we did not also thank and acknowledge the vibrant and energetic Gala Committee whose hard work and good cheer always get the party started, along with our hard-working staff who finalize the details and get the job done.
We thought everyone could use a break from today’s times, and so we hope you enjoy our look back to the “nifty fifties,” inspired by the classic car collection of tonight’s entertainment, Mr. Jay Leno.
Thank you all for your ongoing support of STNJ and its longstanding mission of bringing the performing arts and arts education opportunities to all members of our community without barriers.
We hope you have a fun night!
Warm Regards,
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Wendy L. Wiebalk, Esq. | Steven D. Cahn, Esq. |
GALA CO-CHAIRS
Wendy Wiebalk, Esq. and Steven Cahn, Esq.
Cahn & Parra, LLC
GALA AUCTION CHAIR
Eileen Harkins
Retired, Johnson & Johnson
GALA COMMITTEE
Hiam Boraie
Boraie Development, LLC
Benjamin Bucca, Jr.
Middlesex County
Christine Bucca
Leader & Berkon, LLP
Saul Curtis
Retired, PwC
Laura DeCandia
Johnson & Johnson
Joey Kareem Grinkley
Merck Manufacturing Division
Craig J. Guiffre
American Benefits Consulting
Jean McDonnell
Magyar Bank
John Reissner
Magyar Bank
Alma Scott
Retired, Johnson & Johnson
Todd Shamy
Kenvue
Robin Suydam
Franklin Mutual Insurance Companies; Retired Insurance Agency Owner
THUNDERBIRD
CORVETTE
Joan & Bob Campbell
ELDORADO
Boraie Development LLC
EAB Insurance Group
Johnson & Johnson
Magyar Bank
Alma Scott
SKYLARK
Somerset Patriots, Clinton Honda, and Land Rover of Princeton
CONTINENTAL
BCB Bank
Benjamin & Christine Bucca
Cahn & Parra
Stephan DeMicco & Jeanne Fox
DLR Group
The Green Jade Group At Morgan Stanley
IBEW Local 456
Nicholas and Leah Kambitsis
Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A.
Najarian Associates
Presidential Cleaning
Robin Suydam & Paul Corkery
Turner Construction Company
DEVILLE
Eileen Harkins
Reilly Financial Group
Todd A. Shamy & Joey Grinkley
EVENT PARTNERS
DONORS
Mohammad A. Abid • Jim & Jodi Bartie • Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri & Jacobs, LLC • DeFalco & Co., CPA • William & Nancy Delayo • Delta Contracting Services Inc. • Robert & Jane Dinner • Dynamic Engineering Consultants, PC • Gregory & Patricia Francfort • Jonathan Glick • Herring Properties • Sergio Iacovitti • Raj Keswani • Ann & John Kosco • John Larkins • Kevin & Laurie McCabe • Middlesex County Building & Construction Trades Council • Jeffrey & Judith Milanaik • Colin Neill • Michael & Marlene Nissenblatt • Edward and Suzzane Olimpio • Stephan & Leslie Sekulich • Semple Solutions LLC • Leonard Sendelsky • Sharon Karmazin Family Donor Advised Fund • Suburban Development • Robin Suydam & Paul Corkery • Virginia & Jonathan Tesser • Lawrence Wilderotter
All proceeds help provide education and community engagement programs for children, families, and underserved residents, and support the continued excellence of our world-class mainstage performances.
Beasley Media
John Brancy
Saul Curtis
Eskaysi
Fiddler’s Elbow
The Frog & The Peach
George Street Playhouse
Hamilton Jewelers
Harvest Moon
Heldrich Hotel
Hyatt Regency
Jasna Polana
Richard & Larisa Leist
Magyar Bank
Raspa Jewelers
Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar
SoJo Spa
Sophie’s Bistro
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery
Stage Left
Steakhouse 85
Stephen Taylor
Stress Factory
Robin Suydam & Paul Corkery
Townsquare Media
Venus Jewelers
Victoria’s Tratta Italiano
Zimmerli Art Museum
We offer sincere appreciation to the following individuals and businesses for their generous support of this year’s Benefit Gala through the exemplary services provided and in-kind donations made.
A special thank you to the State Theatre Staff and Gala Committee for their dedication and commitment to making this event a success, and also to the volunteers who helped.
The Blaire Reinhard Band
B & B Tent and Party Rentals of NJ
Carnivale Donut Bar
Fritz’s
IATSE Local #21
Jeffrey Auger Photography
New Brunswick Police Department
propNspoon
Redwood Florist
Shake Rattle & Roll Pianos
Unforgettable Engraved Gifts
