New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) is thrilled to announce it will hold its 9^th Annual Benefit Gala on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the Haley Mansion in Mystic, CT. This year’s gala will highlight NESS’s award-winning programs as well as honor those who helped NESS serve more than 7,500 students throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island since last year. Funds raised at the gala are used to support NESS’s annual fund and provide scholarships to keep NESS inclusive and accessible.

The Gala will feature a silent auction, live auction, and a paddle raise for scholarship. Keeping in line with NESS’s experience-based education, the silent and live auction items will feature a variety of unique experiences for bidders. The event will be catered by The Haley Mansion at the Inn at Mystic and live music will be performed by The Savage Brothers Band of Hartford, Connecticut.

NESS President Spike Lobdell commented, “There aren’t too many activities more empowering than putting kids in boats – sailing, kayaking, surfing, jumping off and snorkeling – many times digging deep to overcome fears and anxieties – then returning to shore – safe and with a new level of confidence. We get students thinking for themselves and create a new challenging environment where they believe they ‘can.’ These opportunities are available to too few children these days, and at NESS we are committed to offering these experiences to students from all walks of life.”