We offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, supported and organized the Great Night In Virtual Family Gala on June 14.  More than $258,000 was raised through this exciting event, which will help provide free virtual programming for low-income families, build amazing exhibits, and create programs that welcome people of all ages and abilities into the Children’s Museum and MuseumLab, both virtually and in person.

Watch the show here.

Everyone involved in creating this virtual experience rose to the occasion with creativitiy, flexibility, kindness and patience.  Many thanks also to the Museum’s Board Vice President and her family for launching a giving challenge at the Gala that helped raise more than $39,000!

The family-friendly event celebrated the best of the Children’s Museum’s arts and joyful experiences, and included messages of love and kindness, with a focus on how we can talk with and help children process issues around COVID-19 and racial and social injustice that are impacting our community and world so keenly.

Advance ticket buyers received a delicious, locally-sourced spaghetti dinner delivered to their home to enjoy with the show, including provisions from Legends Eatery, BreadWorks, Priory Fine Pastries and Engine House 25 Wines. 

The Museum also delivered more than 300 dinner boxes to community families experiencing food insecurity on June 6, through our partners Providence Connections Family Support Center and Manchester Academic Charter School. This was made possible through the generous support of PNC.  We thank these local businesses and organizations, and more than 25 volunteer drivers who delivered the food, for their partnership and support in this endeavor.

Read more about the film, Broadway and television stars, children's book authors, artists, sports players and coaches, and youth performers who created such a wonderful show, as well as the Gala auction and Kindness Initiative.

Thank you to our incredible leadership whose talents and contributions made the Gala a success!

2020 Great Night Gala Chairs

Kim and Curt Fleming

2020 Great Night Gala Committee

Melissa Bizyak
Jennifer Broadhurst
Christopher Daley
Barrett Donovan
Michael Duckworth
Jennifer Kilgore
Karen Larrimer
Tracie McCormick 
Matthew Meade
Rosemary Moriarty
Greta Rooney
Evan Rosenberg
Robert Stein
Penny Zacharias

2020 Great Night Host Committee

Melissa and Matthew Bizyak
Jen and Brooks Broadhurst
Barrett Donovan and Nora Minahan
Michael Duckworth and Tracy Howe
Lynn Gagne and Evan Rosenberg 
Mary Louise and Henry J. Gailliott
Judy Horgan and Steve Pavsner
Adam Kelson and Carly Wilson
Jennifer and Todd Kilgore
Carole King and Chip Burke
Scott and Sue Lammie
Karen and James Larrimer
Richard I. Lerach and Elizabeth E. Krans
David and Julie McCandless
Josh McElhattan and Lesley Carlin
Tom Mole
Dan and Shelly Onorato
Billy Porter
Jimmi Sue and Matthew Smith
William and Jane Valenta
Bonnie and Tom VanKirk
Beth Wainwright and Russ Kemerer
Jane Werner and Bob Rutkowski
Penny Zacharias and Kirk Burkley