LibGuides: Support: Ways to Give: Special Events

Ridgefield is fortunate to be home to inspiring leaders who give tirelessly to make our community a better place to live. Each year, the Ridgefield Library honors such individuals with The Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award. We are pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Swenson Award are Suni and Woody Harford, in recognition of their many years of support for the Ridgefield Library and their meaningful contributions to other organizations in Ridgefield, regionally and beyond.

Please save the date to join us at the Library for cocktails and dinner on the evening of Saturday, May 20th as we recognize Suni and Woody.

Marcie & Peter Coffin and Tizzie & Tom Mantione, Gala Co-Chairs

Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award

The Ridgefield Library has announced its annual Great Expectations Gala, to take place on Saturday, May 20, 2023. In celebration of the Library’s 120^th year in the historic Morris Building on Main Street, the Gala will celebrate the special place the Ridgefield Library holds in the heart of the community, as a hub for learning, discovery and connection. The event will recognize Suni and Woody Harford’s dedication to the mission of the Library, naming them the 2023 Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award honorees.

Suni and Woody Harford, 2023 Hope Swenson Visionary Award Honorees

When Suni and Woody Harford moved to Ridgefield in 2012, it represented a homecoming for Suni, who grew up in town and graduated from Ridgefield High School. The Harfords chose Ridgefield to raise their family, and to the surprise of few, quickly found ways to both enjoy and contribute to life in our wonderful community. Suni, President of UBS Asset Management and Woody, an aviation executive who was the SVP Sales and Marketing at British Airways and retired as a Chief commercial officer at CitationAir by Cessna, have lent their support to many Ridgefield non-profit organizations over the years. Most notably, Woody served on the Board of Directors of the Ridgefield Library from 2013 to 2019. During these years and to the present day, Woody and Suni have helped the Library advance its mission through a combination of consistent leadership and creative fundraising. As the 2023 Hope Swenson Award honorees, we celebrate the Harfords’ love of Ridgefield and their extraordinary contributions to the Library, our community and beyond.

2023 Gala Sponsors

TITLE SPONSOR

NOBEL PRIZE SPONSORS

Larry & Nancy Bossidy

Fairfield County Bank

Danielle & David Ganek

Lin & Stephen Jamison

Rudy Ruggles

PULITZER PRIZE SPONSORS

Laura & Brian Hull

The Shantz Mantione Group,
UBS Private Wealth Management

BOOKER PRIZE SPONSORS

068 Magazine

The Couri Family

Anita & Nick Donofrio

Doyle Coffin Architecture

Robert Ellis

Robert Karofsky

Dean & Theresa Miller

Rodier Flowers

Eileen & Jay Walker

HUGO AWARD SPONSORS

Catherine & Chris Desmarais

Jennifer & Carlo Gabrielli

Liz & Steven Goldstone

Nuvance Health

Ridgefield’s HamletHub

Anne Marie Squeo & Philip Maggi

Young’s Fencing & Landscaping

CALDECOTT MEDAL SPONSORS

Pablito Almira

Jill & Jeffrey Bornstein

Jean & Michael Cobelli

Jennifer Crowl

The Dolce Group and the Soundview Market

Betsy & Ken Fitzpatrick

Gallo Ristorante

Alison & Andrew Greeley

Shelley & Robert Keyes

Jacqué & Chris Lang

Blaine & Rachel Langberg

Eileen & Allan Linke

Philip & Christine Lodewick

Peggy & Rudy Marconi

Sue & Karl Moisan

Joanne & John Patrick

Allison & Jon Stockel

Union Savings Bank

COCKTAIL PARTY SPONSORS

BMW of Ridgefield

Palazzo Landscaping

WITH SUPPORT FROM

Andrea & Diran Alexanian

Janet Belote

Videen & Christopher Bennett

Daniel C. Levine Productions

Lynn & Lou DiMarco

Carol & Emmett Dockery

Gavin Donnelly

Danielle & Scott Edwardson

Helena Hernmarck

Geraldine & James Hotard

Tom Main

Carol & Bob McBride

Mary Ellen Raab

Jean & John Ritacco

Ashley & Jeffrey Roberts

Third Family Fund