2023 Kandler Awards Celebration

October 18, 2023 @ 6:00 pm
@ 9:00 pm

Each year, we remember Gerry Kandler, former president of ACLU Delaware, and honor the work of members of the community who exemplify his tireless commitment to the defense of all Delawareans’ civil liberties.


Our Online Silent Auction is Open for Bids!

Whether or not you attend the Kandler Awards Celebration, we welcome you to celebrate with us by checking out the silent auction! The auction is open for bidding now, and will close at 8:30 p.m. on October 18.

To view our full selection and place your bids, click the button below!

Bid Now


We are thrilled this year to be honoring Beatrice “Bebe” Coker, leading civil rights and education advocate, and John Whitelaw, Esq., Advocacy Director, Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., for their accomplishments in Delaware.

Both Bebe and John embody a passion and motivation for justice just as past ACLU-DE President Gerald "Gerry" E. Kandler’s (1932-1985) unwavering commitment to the values of the ACLU. We are grateful to have such incredible leadership both in our ACLU past and present and to honor Bebe and John during this year’s celebration.

Join us for this exciting evening, filled with musical entertainment from the Choir School of Delaware, hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and an online silent auction. We are once again holding a hybrid event, so you can celebrate with us in-person or virtually. However you prefer to celebrate, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about and engage with the work of the ACLU of Delaware.

For questions, reach out to Melissa Bryson at mbryson@aclu-de.org.


When

Wednesday, October 18
In-person events: 6 - 9 p.m.
Virtual event: 7 - 8 p.m.

Where

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

Big Fish Grill Rehoboth
20298 Coastal Hwy,
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Virtual attendance available via Zoom.


Tickets

Reserve your tickets now

Sponsorships

Become a sponsor 

Every Kandler Ticket & Sponsorship Includes:

  • Access to our online silent auction;
  • Live performance by the Delaware Choir School; and
  • Your choice to attend in-person or virtually via Zoom.

For questions, email mbryson@aclu-de.org or 302.654.5326 x 102.


Thank you to our sponsors!

PROTECTORS OF FREEDOM

Ross, Aronstam, & Mortiz LLP
Matthew & Hilary Ziffer

DEFENDERS OF LIBERTY

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc
Matt Meyer
Joan Kandler

PARTNERS IN JUSTICE

Incyte
Morris, Nichols, Arsht, & Tunnell LLP
David and Sally McBride
Joanne Cabry

VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR

Betsy McGeever

ADVOCATES

Highmark
WSFS
M&T
Brian Kandler
Marion & Lawrence Hamermesh
Tom O'Brien
Norman Monhait and Marcia Halperin 
Judy and David Mellen
Carmen Twyman
Amy Simmerman
Nan Hunter
Planned Parenthood of Delaware
City Council of Wilmington

CHAMPIONS

Delaware Law School
Metrocolor Parcels
Thomas and Marie Foley
Kate Cowperthwait
David and Gwen Brown
Jeffrey and Linnea Goddess
Jeffrey Raffel
Serena M. Williams
Mike and Katie Brickner
Grace & Blair Messner
Don Peterson
Sharon Borton
Robert and Ellen Meyer
Laina & Michael Herbert
Kathy Epler
Ariel and Benjamin Gruswitz
Martin & Lisa Lessner
Tom & Judy Pappenhagen
Donald & Ethel Parsons
Rebecca Lowe
Leland and Melva Ware
Claire and Mikki Snyder-Hall
Julia Keheler
Chuck and Janice Durante
Bethany Hall-Long