Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC) hosted its annual spring gala, A Night to Remember: A CLC Celebration, on Friday, June 16, at Serafresca at the I.C. in Stamford. The event, which had nearly 250 attendees, raised important funding to support the nonprofit’s programs. This year’s event marked the first time since the COVID pandemic began that CLC children were able to sing to the audience and provide a glimpse into the joy found in CLC classrooms daily. Children from CLC Palmers Hill Classroom 5 sang “It’s Spring” and “Skidamarink.”
CLC provides early childhood education and care with direct services and programs focused on health, nutrition, and family support for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age. The nonprofit agency is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and approved by Head Start.
CLC operates private pay and government subsidized programs to help ensure that all families have access to high quality early childhood education and care programs regardless of income. The organization is licensed to serve nearly 900 children each day across multiple locations in Stamford. CLC also oversees a Head Start program operated by Family Centers in Greenwich. CLC honored its retiring CEO Marc Jaffe as a Champion of Children at the event. Jaffe raised the profile of the organization and the early childhood industry across Connecticut. Jaffe thanked the “educators, staff and senior leaders, donors and supporters, families, agency partners, CLC’s Leadership Council and Board, the City of Stamford and Greenwich, for granting me the opportunity to serve and make a difference. Your support has been critical.”
Daytime Emmy Nominated Actress Jill Larson served as the evening’s emcee opening the program with Town of Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo reading a proclamation naming June 16, 2023, as Marc E. Jaffe Day. U.S. Congressman Jim Himes presented Jaffe with the CLC 2023 Champion of Children award and a United States Flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol. The program continued with world-class pianist and composer Kenny Werner entertaining the crowd, followed by a performance by Band Central led by Ron Fried. DJ April Larken closed out the night after a successful live auction and paddle raise.
Night to Remember sponsors include Marathon Asset Management, Mavis Discount Tire, Vranos Family Foundation, Ernest & Young, Pitney Bowes, M&T Bank, Reckson, Robinson + Cole, Stamford Health, and media sponsor Stamford Magazine/Moffly Media. Emboss, LLC was the event planner.