Ability Beyond Disability Raises More Than $720,000 At Gala

BETHEL — More than 600 people attended Ability Beyond Disability’s “Reach For The Stars Gala,” held recently in Danbury, raising more than $720,000 in support of people with disabilities — a record-breaking number according to organizers.

Ability Beyond Disability is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Bethel and Mount Kisco, N.Y. It provides a wide range of services for more than 1,500 people with a disability that inhibits their activities of daily living.

Services include numerous residential alternatives, employment training, career counseling, job placement services, cognitive and life skills instruction, clinical and therapeutic support, and volunteer and recreational activities.

Governor M. Jodi Rell was honored with the Robert S. Young Humanitarian Award for her many years of public service to the state of Connecticut and her positive contributions to the community.

“The event was a great success — raising more money than ever before,” said Tom Fanning, president/chief executive officer of Ability Beyond Disability.

The co-chairs for this year’s gala were David and Darren Beylouni, along with their wives Kristin and Melissa. The Beylounis are both residents and business owners in the greater Danbury area. Darren and Kristin reside in Ridgefield, while David and Melissa live in Newtown.

The brothers jointly own Colonial Ford-Lincoln, Colonial Subaru and Colonial Mazda in Danbury.

For more information about Ability Beyond Disability, visit www.abilitybeyonddisability.org.