Rock Creek Gala!

This month, we went to the annual Rock Creek Conservancy Gala at the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens!

We snapped Steve Deggendorf with The Wardman Group's Thad Paul; his wife and board member, Jane Paul; and past gala chair and board member Dennis McClellan. 

The annual event brings together the business and philanthropic community to support one of the District's greatest treasures. Here, dentist Joe Ruzzo and his husband, Gala co-chair and TTR Sotheby's Mark Lowham, flank filmmaker Grace Guggenheim. 

Guests enjoyed a lavish reception featuring different dining stations with an array of appetizers, desserts and liquor tastings. Here, Thorsen Construction's John Thorsen, and his wife, Penno Interiors' Kelly Thorsen, with board member and The Stagwell Group's Jason Reid. 

Throughout the evening, guests participated in an incredible silent auction with dozens of unique items, including a rafting trip to Desolation Canyon, Utah, and a trip exploring Virginia’s wine country. Here, the Washington Post's Tom Toles and his wife, Gretchen Toles, bookend the Atlantic Council and NBC's Evelyn Farkas. 

The Rock Creek Conservancy is an essential partner to the National Park Service, supplying 42% of Rock Creek Park’s volunteers in 2016 and providing funding for park restoration projects. Here, Thad Paul joins TTR Sotheby's Kevin Friend, the World Bank's Bernard Harborne and Anna Mackay. 

TTR Sotheby's Donna Leanos, Adrienne Deming and Mickie Simpson. The gala ended up raising $225K to support conservancy efforts in Rock Creek.