LEAP Year Event
31 Years & Counting
See You At This Year's LEAP Year Event!
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
With Additional Dates: February 28th and March 5th
Tickets Are On Sale
Click The Button Below To Get Tickets
To The Dinner Of Your Choice and The Reception
LEAP Year Event is our annual fundraiser bringing together the Greater New Haven community to support LEAP's free after-school and summer programs for youth from underserved neighborhoods. Join us on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with additional dates on February 28th and March 5th.
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The evening begins with a vibrant reception at the Dixwell Community Center (Q House), featuring complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres, live music, and an opportunity to connect with fellow community members. You'll hear welcoming remarks from Henry Fernandez, LEAP's Executive Director, and inspiring stories directly from LEAP counselors. Following the reception, guests will attend an intimate dinner of their choice, each featuring a renowned guest speaker and meaningful conversation.
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LEAP Year Event is our most important fundraiser, drawing over 600 philanthropic donors, business professionals, and community leaders. In 2025, you helped us raise over $500,000 to make LEAP's free programs possible. We hope you'll join us again for an evening of community, connection, and shared commitment to creating opportunities for young people.
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Interested in supporting the event as a sponsor or have questions about registering? Please email Alison Bonds at abonds@leapforkids.org. With your partnership, we will continue to Create a New Haven for Our Children.
LEAP Year Event '25 Photos
Thank you to our 2026 LEAP Year Event Sponsors
Superhero
Champions
Roger Ibbotson
Heroes
Roz & Jerry Meyer
Julie Wilson
Joann Thompson & Robert Alvine
Leader
The Scillia Family
Stacey & Hap Perkins with
Mentors
Jacqueline Koral
Dr. Marcus McFerren &
Educator
​Cynthia Mann, MD
Marna Borgstrom & Eric Borgstrom
Diane Ariker
Athlete

Jody Ellant with
Ruby Melton & Gail McAvay
Ellen Shuman & Doug Rae
Beverly & John Hodgson
Celeste Suggs & Joel Zackin
Elizabeth & Miles Lasater
Kaaren Janssen & Robert Jaeger
Partners






Alison Bonds & Larry Levine
John S. Nussbaum
Allie Perry & Charles Pillsbury
Friends













Lisa Stanger & Greg Colodner
Kathryn Hill & Gerald Kahn
Ellen & Robert Scalettar
Lynne & Mark Schpero
Marian Chertow & Matthew Nemerson
Neighbors
Apex Security Systems, LLC



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To Learn More About What Sponsorships We Offer Click Here






Thank you to our LEAP Year Event Planning Committee
Eliana Arroyo
Ann Baker Pepe
Alison L. Bonds
Rachel Kline Brown
Ruofan Chen
Jack Ciccolo
Judy Clark
Susan Kerley
Jacqueline Koral
Melissa Liriano
Cynthia Mann
Zehra Patwa
Fallon Thomas​​















