Reimagined
Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin breaks fundraising record during gala at Baird Center
Kelly Backes learned about the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin (ASSEW) ten years ago when their two-year-old son was diagnosed with Autism.
“We first got connected with the society as a user of services. We didn’t know where to go, who to turn to. We were given a diagnosis and we didn’t know how to best help our kiddo,” Backes said.
Now, a decade later, Backes proudly serves as the board president for ASSEW, helping guide the organization and provide the Autism community the resources needed to live full lives. Like many other nonprofit organizations, ASSEW staff dedicates hundreds of hours to applying for grants and other opportunities to help offset operational costs and do even more for their cause. ASSEW was one of 176 applicants to Baird Center’s inaugural Gala Giveaway, which launched in January 2023.
After the application deadline came and went, ASSEW was thrilled to hear that leaders from the Wisconsin Center District wanted to go to ASSEW’s offices to meet the team and learn more about their cause as a follow-up to their application. Backes admits that their team was nervous going into the meeting.
“We knew what this gala would mean for our organization. We have been so severely struggling financially. The pandemic was rough for everybody,” Backes said.
What Backes and Rechelle Chaffee, ASSEW’s executive director, didn’t know was that their application scored the highest among 176 applicants, and the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin would soon be named the winner of the 2024 Gala Giveaway.
“The emotions that you see in that video, those are real: shock and relief and joy. We just knew this was going to keep our organization afloat,” Backes said.
After the shock of winning wore off, the Autism Society team got to work planning their biggest gala yet. Along with help from WCD’s talented event services, food and beverage and audio video teams, the team at Autism Society reimagined their 2024 gala. Previously, ASSEW’s gala drew about 220 people. This year ASSEW was able to welcome 460 guests thanks to the all-expenses paid Gala Giveaway prize package.
“That was one major area that we would’ve never been able to do that without this giveaway. Simply just drawing in more than double our crowd,” Backes said.” It was a whole bunch of people who were new. New to the Autism Society, maybe new to the world of Autism. They were able to join us for an evening and experience what we’re all about, what our families are all about and really just kind of take it in.”
Baird Center has made inclusion a priority with its expansion and modernization. Hosting ASSEW in the Baird Ballroom was a great opportunity to demonstrate the convention center’s commitment to ensuring all guests feel welcome and safe. In addition to the two permanent sensory rooms located in the north building, the gala featured a larger, custom sensory room designed specifically to meet the ASSEW’s gala needs.
Pat Miller attended his first-ever Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin Gala in the Baird Ballroom on June 15.
“It was top-flight all the way through. From the staff there to direct people down the hallways, to the appetizers, to the organization, the guest flow, AV, the lighting, food service, the cutlery, the way the room was laid out, the number of bars that were there. From top to bottom, it was an A+ event,” Miller said.
ASSEW set a lofty goal to raise $360,000 at this year’s gala, triple the amount that they’ve raised in previous years.
“The numbers are still rolling in; we’re counting the last pennies here. But it is looking like we are going to meet and even potentially exceed that $360,000,” Backes said.
With a record-setting gala under their belts, ASSEW is preparing for a big year ahead.
“This opportunity truly is changing our organization and our path forward,” Backes said. “This amount of money right now allows us to expand our services. We are looking to roll out services statewide…We’re going to be offering virtual offerings…We’re going to be able to touch so many more families and individuals.”
Photo Courtesy: Janet McMillan