A Night Built on Gratitude — and One Surprise No One Saw Coming

The invitation promised an evening of appreciation. What guests got was something more.

VersAbility appreciates the donors, community partners, and friends whose generosity and belief in their mission make it possible for people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive every day. What unfolded was an evening filled with gratitude, celebration, meaningful connections, and one unforgettable surprise.

We believe it’s important to pause and celebrate the people who make our mission possible. Partners in Purpose wasn’t about asking for support — it was about expressing our sincere gratitude to those who continue to stand beside us and invest in our mission.

Every person in the room represented a story of generosity, compassion, and partnership. Whether through financial support, advocacy, or leadership, our donors and community partners help open doors and minds to opportunity for over 1,500 individuals and families each year and we are deeply grateful for the trust they place in our mission.

What followed was an evening of recognition, tribute, and — in its most memorable moment — genuine surprise.

Ability Angels: A Circle of Commitment

Among the evening’s highlights was the recognition of VersAbility’s Ability Angels, a distinguished group of major donors who have pledged $10,000 or more in support of the organization’s employment, residential, early childhood, and day support programs.

Eleven returning Ability Angels were celebrated for their continued commitment, and two new members were welcomed into the community: Shelley Smith and Glenhouse Properties.

We are incredibly grateful to each of our Ability Angels. Collectively, these supporters represent something larger than a giving level. They represent a belief — in possibility, in inclusion, and in a future where people of all abilities have the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives.

Advocates Recognized for Impact Beyond the Check

The evening also honored two recipients of VersAbility’s Ability Advocate Award: Wayne MacMasters and Alexis Swann.

Both were recognized for contributions that go well beyond financial support — for the leadership, partnership, and sustained advocacy they have brought to the VersAbility community. Their recognition underscored a truth the organization returns to often: lasting impact requires people willing to invest their time, talent, and voice alongside their resources.

Twenty Years, One Surprise

Then came the moment no one had planned for — except the people who had been quietly planning it for weeks.

As the evening’s program drew toward a close, guests turned their attention to President and CEO Kasia Grzelkowski, who believed she was simply attending the same dinner as everyone else.

She was not.

What unfolded was an emotional tribute to 20 years of leadership at VersAbility — two decades during which Grzelkowski helped guide the organization through significant growth while never losing sight of the individuals at the center of its mission. Today, VersAbility directly supports more than 1,500 people annually through employment, workforce training, residential, early childhood, and community-based programs.

Family members, her best friend, colleagues, and musical guests all played a part in a celebration that moved quickly from surprise to tears to laughter to standing ovations. Her mother was in the room (also a surprise). So were the memories of two decades of relationships built through work that is, at its core, about people.

It was, by every account, the kind of moment that doesn’t happen at a fundraiser.

The Point of the Evening

As dinner gave way to music, dancing, and conversation among friends old and new, the through-line of the night came into focus.

Partners in Purpose was never about what comes next. It was about honoring what already is — the community of people who show up, year after year, to invest in others.

Behind every program VersAbility runs, every success story it tells, every opportunity it creates, are people who made a choice. The dinner was VersAbility’s way of making sure they knew it.