The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation 2025 Human Spirit Awards Dinner

We invite you to join us for the 2025 Human Spirit Awards Dinner as we gather together to honor individuals who embody openness, courage, and kindness - and whose actions have profoundly inspired and uplifted others.

The 2025 recipients include:

• The Kindness Award - Thomas Baklik who supports the Valley nonprofit community and has conducted an annual toy drive for over 20 years to help TEAM Inc. create magical Christmas mornings for children.

• The Human Spirit Awards recipients:

  • Edward M, Kennedy, Jr. who lost a leg to cancer at age 12 and has dedicated his legal career and life to advocating for the disabled community.

  • The Bode Family who faced the challenges of a rare disease and advocated for accessibility throughout the state.

  • Richard Magner who was severely wounded in Vietnam and became the first Life Star pilot at Hartford Health Care.

  • Nelba Marquez-Greene who lost her daughter, Ana Grace, in the Sandy Hook tragedy and now teacher others about trauma and grief while serving as a Public Health activist in residence at Yale University.

  • Gabriel Felix (posthumously), a former gang member who became a paraplegic and spoke to young people about the consequences of their choices.

We look forward to you joining us Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Hartford Marriott to celebrate our recipients. Click here to purchase tickets (reduced ticket prices through September 15th).

Enjoy viewing last year Human Spirit Awards Dinner photos below.