Because of you, our 35th Annual Kandler Awards Celebration was an incredible success, despite being our first-ever entirely virtual fundraiser. Thank you so much for your support of our work. We couldn’t do this without you!
A big part of last night’s celebration was honoring Eugene R. Young, Jr. and Susan Del Pesco for their tireless work to protect our rights in Delaware. We were proud to present a Kandler Award to each of these civil liberties superheroes, and we invite you to watch Eugene and Susan's honoree videos to learn more about why we chose these incredible folks to honor this year.
We also took time during the event to pay tribute to a few friends and founders who are no longer with us in person, but who left an indelible mark that will forever be part of our organization's mission. Our former exeutive director and current board member, Judy Mellen, did a great job of honoring our founders: Sonia Sloan, Joe and Joan Rosenthal, and our former volunteer Shirley Schell for their significant contributions to the ACLU of Delaware.
And finally, we had an inspiring musical performance from Jea Street, Jr., who reminded us that when we are united in purpose we can get through the toughest of times. Watch a clip of Jea's performance below, and you consider purchasing his music here or sending him a tip via Cash App at $JeastreetJr.
While we don’t know yet what next year will hold, we keep learning one lesson again and again this year: together, we’ll get through it. From shifting major event plans to election hurdles that shake the core of our democracy — and everything in-between — we never fail to see great results when we come together in unity and purpose. Thank you for being part of our purpose!
Today and every day, we’ve got your back. Please consider making a donation to support our work.
Thank You to Our Sponsors of the 35th Annual Kandler Awards Celebration
Protector of Freedom Sponsor:
- Ross, Aronstam & Moritz, LLP
Defender of Liberty Sponsor:
- Incyte Corporation
Partner in Justice Sponsor:
- David & Sally McBride
- Highmark Delaware
- Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League (MWUL)
Video & Photography Sponsor:
- Betsy McGeever
Advocate Sponsors:
- Jack Blumenfeld & Karen Jacobs
- Jack Guerin
- Norm Monhait & Marcia Halperin
- Tom & Jennifer O'Brien
- Amy Simmerman & Nile Alford
- WSFS Bank
Champion Sponsors:
- Mike & Katie Brickner
- David & Gwen Brown
- Tom Foley
- Ruth Gerr
- Jeff & Linnea Goddess
- Ariel Gruswitz
- Larry & Marian Hamermesh
- Laina & Michael Herbert
- Suchi & Vijay Iyengar
- Joan Kandler
- Marty & Lisa Lessner
- Judy & David Mellen
- Judy & Tom Pappenhagen
- Grace & Robert Messner
- Jeffrey Raffel
- John Richards
- Haneef Salaam
- Leland & Melva Ware
- Claire & Mikki Snyder-Hall
