2024 Kandler Awards Celebration

October 15, 2024 @ 6:00 pm

Each year we remember former ACLU-DE President Gerald "Gerry" E. Kandler (1932-1985) and honor the work of members of the community who exemplify his tireless commitment to the defense of all Delawareans’ civil liberties.

This year we are so pleased to be honoring Dr. Ann Aviles, Associate Professor at the University of Delaware and Co-Chair of the HOMES Campaign DE, and La Esperanza, a multi-service, bi-cultural and bilingual agency specifically dedicated to serving Hispanic communities in Sussex County. Both Dr. Aviles and La Esperanza embody a passion and motivation for justice and an unwavering commitment to the values of the ACLU-DE, just as Gerry Kandler did. We are grateful to have such incredible leadership, both in our organization’s past and in our community’s present, and to honor both Dr. Aviles’ and La Esperanza’s work during this year’s celebration.

The prestigious law firm Arnold & Porter was instrumental counsel to secure millions in essential school funding through the Delawareans for Educational Opportunity vs Carney. For her individual contributions, the ACLU of Delaware is honoring Arnold & Porter attorney Peta Gordon with the 2024 Clarence Darrow Award at this year's Kandler Awards Celebration. The Darrow Award is given to a member of the legal community who has made exceptional contributions to a cause for justice.

Join us for this exciting evening of hors d’oeuvres and beverages with our valued community members, and an online silent auction to support civil liberties work in Delaware! This year's event will again have a virtual component, so you can celebrate with us in-person or virtually from your home. However you prefer to celebrate, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about and engage with the work of the ACLU of Delaware.

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

Sponsor the Kandler Awards

For questions, or if you need accessibility accomodations to attend, reach out to Melissa Bryson at [email protected]


EVENT TIMES:

Tuesday, October 15 
In-person events: 6 - 9 p.m. 
Virtual event: 7 - 8 p.m. 

LOCATIONS:

Carriage House at Rockwood Park 
4671 Washington Street Extension, 
Wilmington, DE 19809 

Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club 
7 Club House Dr 
Ocean View, DE 19970 

Virtual attendance available via Zoom. 


Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!  

PROTECTORS OF FREEDOM 

Joan Kandler 

PARTNERS IN JUSTICE 

Incyte 
Faegre Drinker 
David and Sally McBride 
Planned Parenthood of Delaware 

ADVOCATES 

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. 
Highmark 
WSFS  
Marion & Lawrence Hamermesh 
Elizabeth McGeever 
Tom and Jennifer O'Brien 

CHAMPIONS 

Mike and Katie Brickner 
Melissa Bryson 
Sharon Borton 
Kate Cowperthwait 
Kathy Epler 
Ariel and Benjamin Gruswitz 
Lynda Holup 
Nan Hunter 
Grace and Blair Messner 
Norman Monhait and Marcia Halperin 
Don Peterson and Jeffrey Richman 
Jeffrey Raffel

VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPORTER 

The Arsht-Cannon Fund