Begin your evening on the Red Carpet and have your photo taken to commemorate this special evening. Enjoy socializing with other attendees during the Cocktail Reception. Browse the Silent Auction, and place bids on the “must-have” items you discover. Enjoy a seated, Gourmet Dinner prepared by the Hilton’s classically-trained Executive Chef. Be inspired by the evening’s Program and celebrate our honorees. Get caught up in the bidding excitement of the Live Auction. Round out the evening with Music & Dancing! 

Founded in 1962, The Arc of Northern Virginia represents and serves more than 39,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with direct service programs, education, and advocacy. For more than six decades, The Arc of Northern Virginia has recognized the continuity of needs across the life span of people with IDD, and the changing supports needed by the families who support them.

The Arc of Northern Virginia believes that people with IDD – such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and a number of rare chromosomal disorders – are a vital part of the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.

Sunny & Steven Blanco

Sunny Blanco is Vice President and Commercial Services Officer at United Bank and has served on The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Board of Directors for six years, including the past two years as Second Vice President. Sunny joined the Board to learn more about the disability community and to give back in her efforts to support and advocate for her daughter. She is co-chairing this year’s gala with her husband, Steven Blanco, Vice President and Senior Treasury Analyst at Freedom Bank.

“We are co-chairing the gala this year in support of the disability community and to help advance greater awareness. To us, ‘Independence Belongs to Everyone’ reflects the belief that every individual, regardless of perceived ability, should have the opportunity to lead an inclusive and fulfilling life free from barriers and limitations.”

Lissy & Charley John

Lissy John serves as Vice President of Enterprise Transformation at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, where she drives corporate-wide innovation. She has served on The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Board of Directors for eight years, including two years as Second Vice President. Lissy joined the Board to pay it forward after receiving support for her son, Maddox, who has a rare chromosomal disorder. She is co-chairing this year’s gala with her husband, Charley John, Vice President of Public Policy at UnitedHealth Group.

“When you have a child with an intellectual disability, you learn quickly that independence isn’t a given. It’s built, piece by piece, with the right support. I’m co-chairing this gala because I’ve seen what that support can do for my son, and I want every family in our community to have the same chance.”