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Image for 2024 Benefit Gala featuring Jay Leno
2024 Benefit Gala featuring Jay Leno
Sat, June 8, 2024
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR & CEO

John Fitzgerald and Sarah Chaplin

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,

Sarah ChaplinJohn Fitzgerald
Sarah K. Chaplin
President & CEO
John S. Fitzgerald
Chair, Board of Trustees
MESSAGE FROM THE GALA CO-CHAIRS

Wendy Wiebalk and Steve Cahn


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,

Sarah ChaplinJohn Fitzgerald

Wendy L. Wiebalk, Esq.
Certified Civil Trial 
Attorney & Partner
Cahn & Parra, LLC

Steven D. Cahn, Esq.
Certified Civil Trial 
Attorney & Partner
Cahn & Parra, LLC

GALA LEADERSHIP & COMMITTEE

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

GALA SPONSORS

THUNDERBIRD

American Benefits Consulting


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

BID NOW IN OUR SILENT AUCTION


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.   

Bid Now

SILENT AUCTION SUPPORTERS

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST
CREDITS

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

SUPPORTED BY

Sponsor logo