STARability Foundation holds 7th annual STAR Gala in Naples

Reporter: Valentina LaFranca
Published: Updated:

The StarAbility Foundation hosted its 7th Annual Star Gala on Saturday night, drawing 550 attendees.

The event was a record-breaking success, raising over $500,000 in a live auction and more than $1.7 million through the Fund-a-Need initiative.

“You are helping me give my life the best shot,” said Henry Burkley, an attendee.

The gala, which is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, supports STARability’s mission to aid adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“It funds our operating expenses each year,” said Karen Govern, CEO of StarAbility. “We are always so thrilled to have our participants, our star participants, as part of the event, whether they are performing as they did tonight or whether they’re volunteering as greeters or in some other capacity to help out with the event.”

Govern emphasized the importance of donors in making STARability’s work possible, highlighting the contributions of Tom Golisano, who received the Visionary Award at the event.

“People ask me all the time, Tom, how did you get into this IDD world? Well, very simply, very candidly, I have a son with IDD,” said Golisano. “Steven has responsibilities. He has job satisfaction, he has friends. He has people that come and visit him. He’s a very happy, happy person.”

Golisano donated $10 million to StarAbility in 2024, supporting the organization’s goal of providing opportunities to more individuals with disabilities.

The fundraising efforts are not yet complete, as a silent auction remains open online until noon tomorrow.

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