What a night! Our DreamBIG Gala was everything we hoped for, and so much more.
We are so grateful for the many hands and hearts that made the evening possible: our devoted committee, exceptional staff, dedicated event partners, supportive board, and generous Dreamland members.
We were honored to celebrate two extraordinary individuals: Laurie Richards, recipient of this year’s Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award, and Charley Walters, our 2025 DreamBIG Honoree. Their deep commitment to community reflects the very heart of what the Dreamland stands for.
A heartfelt thank-you to the artists behind the stunning surfboards featured in our silent auction. Your work brought vibrancy and soul to the evening. And to those who added extraordinary flavor and flair — Nancy Bean and the Nantucket Wine Festival, Anita Nettles Stefanski and Florabundant, Jon Urbana and KOW Steak, Cisco Brewers, and The Garden Group — your generous contributions elevated the evening in every way.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our phenomenal co-hosts — Kate Brosnan, Ken Mehlman, and Rob Cocuzzo — whose vision and leadership helped bring this unforgettable night to life.
A New Chapter Begins
This year’s event marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter: a strategic partnership between The Dreamland and The Nantucket Project. Rooted in a shared commitment to creativity, connection, and community, this collaboration will bring dynamic public programming and thought-provoking dialogue to the Dreamland stage year-round. We are honored to be working closely with their visionary co-founders, Tom Scott and Kate Brosnan, whose leadership and creative spirit continue to inspire meaningful conversations on Nantucket and beyond.
More than just a fundraiser, DreamBIG is a celebration of everything the Dreamland stands for: creativity, community, and the shared stories that bring us together. Its success reflects the collective belief in what we can achieve together.
Whether you were with us in person or supporting from afar, we are truly honored by your continued enthusiasm and generosity.
With appreciation and admiration,
Alicia Carney
Executive Director, Nantucket Dreamland
Thank You to Our 2025 Benefactors
DreamBIG Benefactor — $100,000
- Wendy & Eric Schmidt
Diamond Benefactor — $50,000
- Ruth Stanton Foundation
Platinum Benefactor — $25,000
- Charley & Martha Polachi
- Blair & Amanda Jacobson
- Alicia & Tim Mullen
- Ken Mehlman
Gold Benefactor — $20,000
- Robin Rednor & Robert Veghte Kennedy
Silver Benefactor — $15,000
- Norman & Sondra Levenson
Bronze Benefactor — $10,000
- John Schmidt & Wendy Conway
Rose Gold Benefactor — $5,000
- Lori & Eric Dannheim
- Chris Ruggeri & Melissa Bodner
- Debbie Lewis & Bob Grinberg
- Jackie Moss & Brian Shaw
- Annie L Bissinger & Mark Poor
- Chris & Kathleen Matthews
- Alan & Marcia Lazowski
- Linwood & Ellen Dame
- Gene Clapp
- Bill & Caroline Cooling
Copper Benefactor — $2,500
- Ray & Laura Brusca
- Maureen McAllister & Charlie Platt
- Stuart & Lynne Elfland
- Tom & Jennifer Sleeper
- Roger & Lisa Krakoff
- Tom & Tanya Forman
- Timothy Mayopoulos & Heather Russell
- Jeffrey & Hillary Hedges-Rayport
- Marsha & Bob Egan
- Melanie Sabelhaus & Jim Guidera
- Michael Schulder & Nancy Field
- John & Susan Flahive
- Emily & Kevin Mullins
- Lori & Kim Preston
- Diane Archer
- Mark & Gwenn Snider
- Michael Kizilbash & Nancy Dubuc
- Marybeth & Christopher Gibson
- Mary & Eric Tanenblatt
- Ryan Williams & Sage Morgan
- Rob Cocuzzo & Jenny Johnson
- Chris & Missy Griffiths
- Bob & Anne Drapeau
- Edmund Liddle & Amanda Tosch
- Joan McPhee & Michael Gilson
- Charles Mappin & Robert Franklin
- Charles Byrne & Ellen Mitchell
- Leah Day VanHorn & Greg VanHorn
- Carolina Save
- Greg & Beth Beldock
- Lisa Spencer
- Daniel & Angela Yergin
- Chris & Ana Young
- Mark Greenberg & Tami Morachnick
- Drew & Jessica Guff
- Kelly Gallagher & Colleen Gallagher
- Michael LaScola & Orla Murphy LaScola
Pearl Benefactor — $1,250
- Tamara Greenman
- Judith Seinfeld
- Amber Cantella
- Darla Stuckey
- Rebecca Becker
- Felix Browne
- Sarah Higgins
- Heidi Mathey
- Lisa Britton Parker
- Lori Ordover
- Wendy Hudson
- Madeline Grayson
Benefactor list reflects support received through July 18, 2025.
Enjoy some photos from the 2025 DreamBIG event!
