NAPLES, Florida (March 11, 2024) – On February 10, more than 350 generous Southwest Florida community members gathered in support of the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON) for its annual gala event, Night at the Museum, raising more than $1.5 million in support of children and families in the community.
“We are beyond grateful to our community of supporters who continue to believe in CMON’s mission to be a place for children and families to play, learn, and dream together,” said CEO Jonathan Foerster. “It’s inspiring to see the generosity of Southwest Florida in action once again.”
Chaired by Ashley and Adam Gerry with honorary chairs Barbie and Paul Hills, Night at the Museum: CMON Dreamhouse provided guests with an experience unlike any other gala in the area. Decked out in their best Barbie and Ken costumes, patrons enjoyed creative cuisine and cocktails from Creative Edge Parties, entertainment from DJ Cat Shell, and an exciting live auction curated by this year’s event committee which included an incredible week-long trip to Napa Valley, Barbie’s Dream Closet with twelve designer outfits from Saks Fifth Avenue, a stay at a luxury cottage in Linville Ridge in North Carolina, a membership to exclusive private members-only social venue The Maddox, four tickets to Taylor Swift in Miami, and more. Guest speakers and long-time museum members, Daimy and Michael Penn shared their story about how much the museum meant to their family and helped the museum raise a record-breaking amount in the fund-a-need donation portion of the evening.
Décor was provided by 50Fifty Creative Services and costumed Barbie and Ken entertainers greeted guests from Pzazz Productions. WINK News morning anchors Corey Lazar and Lindsey Sablan, dressed as CMON Barbie and Ken, served as the evening’s emcees, and the auctioneer for the evening was Rick Gallo.
CMON wants to especially thank the following people and organizations who made Night at the Museum: CMON Dreamhouse so fantastic: Dr. Amy and John Quinn, Ashley and Adam Gerry, Simone and Scott Lutgert, Shelly and Ralph Stayer, Dr. Alise and David Bartley, Daimy and Michael Penn, Rebecca and Nancy Maddox, Carrie and Grant Alward, Saks Fifth Avenue, The Aielli Group, Ferragamo, Gulfshore Life, and The Naples Press, as well as all of the table sponsors, underwriters, and supporters.
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About the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is a brain-building powerhouse and Southwest Florida’s first museum devoted for children and families to learn through play. With hands-on exhibit galleries, the accessible museum invites visitors of all ages to journey through the swamps of the Everglades, weave through a maze, climb a two-story banyan tree, or experiment with the water play station. Children can become a weather forecaster, a farmer, a chef, a fisherman, an artist, an architect, or a veterinarian; explore the cold of an igloo, the whoosh of the wind, the sound of the sea, and the effects of gravity. Throughout the day special activities encourage our guests to get involved, try something new and be energized. CMON offers a variety of interactive exhibits providing kids with education, play, learning, science, technology, engineering, inventions, space exploration, art, math, storybooks, creation, building, sensory, and child development.
Contact: Laura Bright
Chief Advancement Officer
Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
239-260-1604 | lrbright@cmon.org
