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In celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary, the Arizona Centers for Comprehensive Education and Life Skills (ACCEL) recently hosted its 3rd annual charity golf tournament and Mardi Gras Gala in Scottsdale, raising $25,000 for ACCEL’s schools, Michael’s Garden, its adult vocational program and its BISTÅ Autism Center.

“As part of the strategy to raise funds supporting the programs at ACCEL, a group of volunteers came together to organize two amazing events that paired a great golf course, McCormick Ranch Golf Club, with a great cause, ACCEL’s highly specialized programs that serve children and adults with very challenging disabilities,” said Gail Curran, Vice President of Organizational Development for the ACCEL.

The golf tournament began with Metro campus students presenting the golfers with goodie bags filled with gifts, including special cookies that students in the vocational program had baked. After eating a hardy lunch in the pavilion overlooking the lush scenery, the golfers headed to the course, teeing up ‘fore’ special kids. In addition to the 18 Hole tournament, the event featured a silent auction, contests and prizes throughout the day, including the longest drive and closest to the pin. The day concluded at the “19th Hole” where 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners as well a longest drive winner received gift certificates to the McCormick Ranch Golf Club Pro shop.

ACCEL Champion Sponsors included GPW & Associates, Midnight Sun Films and Schmitt Jewelers. Title sponsors included A & C Properties, Arizona Baseball Charities, Greco & Sons, the law firm of Greenberg Traurig, and Scottsdale Property Management.

“Our golf tournament and dinner gala are the cornerstones of our fundraising efforts locally, and we remain very thankful to our generous business partners and sponsors for their continued support of the special needs community we serve,” remarked Ms. Connie Laird, Executive Director of ACCEL.

The following evening, the sights, sounds and sensations of New Orleans’s Bourbon Street welcomed 150 guests to “ALL THAT JAZZ!” ACCEL’s Third Annual Mardi Gras Gala, held in conjunction with its annual Golf Tournament “fore” Special Kids, at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ. Marking its 30th Year Anniversary in Special Education Excellence, its recent opening of the BISTÅ Center for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder and its prestigious national accreditation, ACCEL had great cause to celebrate.

While sipping “Cool Jazz” or “Smooth Jazz” signature martinis under the twinkling lights of an open air tent, guests perused silent auction items and absorbed the breathtaking scenery overlooking the golf course, as the sunset cast the unique silhouette of Camelback Mountain against the watercolor evening sky!

As the music transitioned to a traditional jazz tune, “Saints Go Marching In,” Angela Pacheco, Dinner Gala Chairman, invited guests to their tables. A full scale Mardi Gras float, adorned in black and gold with a giant piano keyboard, jazz décor and video screen positioned behind the gleaming black and white dance floor, set the stage for the festivities to come. Under the leadership of Kathryn Kolysko and the artistic direction of Lynn Stern, the clients of Michael’s Garden had lovingly custom created this masterpiece. Michael’s Garden, a division of ACCEL, is a unique vocational program for special needs adults which incorporates artistic expression into its vocational training program. All in attendance warmly applauded Michael’s Garden for the outstanding décor and the fabulous derby hats that had also been hand-made for the silent auction. Additional kudos were followed by the moving performance of the national anthem by Dasche’ Taylor, a talented vocalist and physical therapist at ACCEL.

In accordance with tradition, this year’s Mardi Gras Royalty were pronounced ACCEL’s “Winning Pair of Queens”! In recognition of her 30 years of service, Marge Cook, Director of Quality Assurance was presented a beautiful sterling silver pendant and chain, designed and donated by Schmitt Jewelers to symbolize ACCEL’s sun logo. Additionally, much to her surprise, Connie Laird, the Executive Director of ACCEL, was also presented the signature piece in recognition of her achievement as the “2010 National Director of the Year” by the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC).

Complimenting the authentic Cajun cuisine feast, was a sampling of live jazz melodies performed by the Arizona Broadway Theatre Company’s “Bits and Pieces” ensemble. The presentation of ACCEL’s newest video “Where Students Shine!” followed. Directed and produced by Gary Stafford of Midnight Sun Films, this film captures ACCEL’s incredible journey from a small private program for 40 developmentally challenged children in 1980 to a multi-dimensional organization serving over 300 students and adults with neurobiological and physical exceptionalities from 45 school districts across Maricopa County.

DJ KAtz, winner of the 50/50 raffle holding up his winnings!The evening excitement heightened with the drawing of the 50/50 Raffle, with Jeff Kaz, the dinner gala DJ from Limelight Entertainment winning the $6,000 first prize and Andrea Coleman of San Diego receiving the diamond fleur de lies pendant necklace, donated by Bijou of Scottsdale.Concluding the festivities, guests adjourned to the dance floor in celebration of the impressive journey and the bright future that lays in store for ACCEL and the special needs community it serves.