Highlights of “An Evening of Appreciation”

The culminating event of DVS’s 30th anniversary year was “An Evening of Appreciation” on October 27 at Woodwinds in Branford. The event was intended to honor — appreciate — six people who are especially dedicated to ending domestic abuse and to bear witness to those who have survived and survived abuse. 

The honorees were:  three Hamden High school health teachers: Nancy DeFrank, Sharon Hale, and Charlene Scarpati; Sharon Miller and her co-workers at Proliance; Shelley O’Brien, from the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services; and Marc Ramia, Connecticut assistant state’s attorney, Geographical Area No. 23 at New Haven.

Hedda Nussbaum, the survivor of notorious abuse at the hands of her young daughter’s murderer, was the evening’s principal speaker — almost exactly 20 years after her case received international notoriety. Her soft-spoken story of horrific abuse and of survival left the audience of 135 attentive and hushed. 

With 28 items ranging from a weekend in a Maine to VIP tickets to a Neil Young concert and a $500 gift certificate from Bender Plumbing Supply, the silent and live auctions inspired lively bidding — with prodding from auctioneer Eric Hummel.

For pictures and more details, please refer to the Winter 2007/08 DVS newsletter on this site: Info & Workshops, Publications.