The current ABC class consists of from left to right (standing) Nia Pollard, Catherine Crespo, Jacinta Utubor, Zuli Bowen, Toni Chadwell, Oluwadamisi Adetona; (seated) Brianne McGill, and Kiana Gaston.
The Winter Gala, a fundraiser for Ridgefield A Better Chance (RABC), will take place Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Salem Golf Club in North Salem, N.Y.
A local chapter of a national organization, RABC helps talented young minority women attain an excellent education so that they can put themselves in a position to attend college and serve as an inspiration to other youth in their community.
Eight young women are currently in the program in Ridgefield and attend Ridgefield High School.
RABC, which has been in Ridgefield for more than 20 years, has seen its graduates move on to selective colleges and then into successful careers as lawyers, doctors, dentists, bankers, Realtors, businesswomen, and a host of other fields.
This year, Jeannie Marmol, a 1997 graduate of the RABC program and also Mt. Holyoke, will briefly address attendees about her RABC experience and where it has taken her.
Although RABC is part of the national organization, it receives no national funding and is supported wholly by generous community members and corporate sponsors, who understand the value of a good education for all members of society and who feel that those who work hard should be afforded an opportunity that might not exist for them in their own communities.
The evening of fine dining and dancing will also offer a chance to spend time with like-minded people who really want to make a difference in a young person’s life.
The emcee is the poet and television personality, Ira Joe Fisher.
Registration may be made at ridgefieldabc.org . Space is limited.