Two of Montclair Local’s board members, Jennifer Dorr-Moon and David Jones, will be honored at “The Lit Gala” on April 27 at The Manor in West Orange at 6:45 p.m.. “The Lit Gala” will be the Montclair Public Library Foundation’s first gala in more than five years and will feature special guests, highlight library programs, and will end with a live auction of unique experiences and various luxuries, including a VIP Red Carpet experience at the premiere of a film directed by Montclair’s own Patrick Wilson, as well as weeklong stays at a penthouse in Florence, Italy, and a Lake Champlain, Vermont, island estate.
The benefit dinner will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Montclair Public Library Foundation with a host of donors, community leaders and library friends. Dorr-Moon and Jones will be honored for their support of the foundation and their contributions to the cultural life of Montclair.
Tony-, Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated actor Patrick Wilson will be emceeing the event and DJ G.I. and Sed Marsh will be providing the musical entertainment. Drinks, dinner, dessert and dancing are expected throughout the evening as participants set out to celebrate the foundation and raise proceeds to benefit the various programs the foundation offers, like the Open Book/Open Mind series. Dorr-Moon and Jones co-founded the series, which features in-depth conversations with authors. The series began in 2015 to gain support for the library, highlight authors from Montclair and beyond and to hold public discussion about important culturally diverse ideas.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jennifer and David for their longtime commitment to the cultural vitality of our community and their significant contributions that directly impact library patrons,” a spokesperson from the foundation said. “We are proud to salute their record of generosity and civic leadership that exemplifies the spirit of the Montclair Public Library Foundation, which exists to enhance the offerings and services of our beloved community library.”
Tickets to the gala benefit, which includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and elegant selections of gourmet foods, are being sold for $300 for individual patrons, $500 for VIP patrons, and $1,000 for individual sponsors. Additional sponsorship levels include visionary ($10,000), dreamer ($5,000), and investor ($2,500), and include sponsor designation, logo placement, digital media recognition, and multiple event tickets. For additional information about tickets, reservations, and sponsorships for the gala benefit, please contact MPLF Executive Director Mary Packer at 973-744-0500 ext. 2269, or email mary@montclairplf.org or purchase tickets online at www.montclairplf.org/gala
The Lit Gala is made possible through the generous support of various sponsors, including Watchung Booksellers, Rao’s Homemade, Councilman Peter Yacobellis, actress Dagmara Domińczyk, Patrick Wilson and many more.