The Halloween Bash is more than just a fundraiser. After 25 years, it has become a strong, loving community of families and supporters who work together to make life better for people affected by ectodermal dysplasias.
This year marks an extraordinary milestone for the Foundation, the Geismar family who created the event, the Halloween Bash committee, and the many friends who have joined along the way.
A Legacy That Began in 2001
When Ruth and Keith Geismar and Alice and Bruce Geismar hosted the first Halloween Bash in 2001, during NFED’s 20th anniversary year, no one could have predicted the legacy it would create. That inaugural event raised an amazing $300,000. For our small but determined Foundation, it changed everything.
In her report to the Board of Directors that year, our founder, the late Mary Kaye Richter, said the Bash would be remembered not just for the money raised, but for “what it enabled in terms of program enhancements.”
A Turning Point for the NFED
She was right. The Halloween Bash became a turning point for the Foundation. The NFED used the proceeds to expand its treatment and research programs and to hire a dedicated staff person to lead them, Mary Fete, who is now retiring as NFED’s executive director.
Over these 25 years, the Bash enabled the NFED to dream bigger and reach goals faster. We built a robust research program that developed a treatment protocol for the painful skin erosions that Ryan Geismar and others with ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip and/or palate (AEC) syndrome experienced.
The research also advanced understanding of many ectodermal dysplasia syndromes. Now, we stand on the threshold of history with a first of its kind prenatal treatment for x-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in clinical trial. The Bash accelerated these accomplishments.
Proud Moments
As Ruth looks back, she’s especially proud of three things.
“I’m most proud of how we built a community around the Bash and got other NFED families involved from the very beginning,” Ruth reminisced. “We became close friends with people we wouldn’t have otherwise. Second, we brought people together to help us reach a goal and it gave us all something to feel good about. It’s true that you get more from giving. Finally, with the money we raised, we did some incredible things for the ectodermal dysplasias community. I’m proud of the research advancements and how we have helped other families.”
From Manhattan Parties to Online Auction
The Halloween Bash began as a cocktail party and auction in Manhattan. In 2012, it moved online. This year, to celebrate 25 years, it returned to New York City for an in-person event led by Ruth and NFED Board Member Soren Roe and his fiancé, Mikaela Hong. It was fun to see all of the great costumes guests wore!
NFED Executive Director Greg Klimovitz said that the event brought together a new generation of friends to the Bash.
A New Generation of Supporters
“In addition to the funds raised through the online auction, Ruth, Soren, and Mikaela convened an incredible in-person gathering in New York City that not only allowed us to share the stories of the NFED and invite financial support, but also to create a form of community and connection across generational lines that is at the heart of the NFED. I cannot wait to be a part of this event again next year, and maybe even in a different city.”
Soren was thrilled about how the in-person event came together.
“The Bash was a slam dunk!” Roe said. “It was great seeing our community reconnect in person and welcome new people to the cause.”
Remarkable Impact
This year, NFED families from across the country joined the planning committee. They helped gather auction items and invite new supporters.
Thanks to their hard work, the Bash raised about $92,800—bringing the total raised over 25 years to a jaw-dropping $4.8 million!
Greg reflected on how rare it is for a fundraiser to last this long.
“Not too many fundraisers last 25 years,” Greg said. “Fewer raise the amount the Geismars and the Bash have. Even fewer have the longstanding success and are willing to open the doors to a new generation of stakeholders and supporters in a new venue and format. I am grateful for how Ruth embodied all of this and more, rooted in her love for the mission and community that is the NFED.”
A Community That’s Changed Lives
The Halloween Bash has become one of the NFED’s greatest achievements because of the community it created. It has brought people together to make positive change for individuals facing rare and complex challenges.
All of us at the NFED offer our deepest and heartfelt gratitude to Ruth and Keith Geismar and Alice and Bruce Geismar. From the start, their goal was to make a lasting impact on education, support, treatment and research of the ectodermal dysplasias. They have achieved that and more.
We salute the Halloween Bash committee for their dedication to the Geismars and the NFED for the past quarter century: Geri Allen, JoAnne & Francis Alter, Holly Amsterdam, Jill Beer, Elizabeth Beil Lewis, Claudia Philips Borg, Steven Boughner, Betsy Chairman, Farin Chasin, Jennifer Schultz Cohen, Anne Corwin, Wendi Diamond, Seth Ferris, Sara Freiberg, Jennifer Geismar, Yvette Glick Shukat, Cynthia Grayson, Scott Hamroff, Carol Hanover, Sandy Hyman, Steffanie Hyman, Selena Marshall, Megan Max, Jill Mesologites, Jennifer & Rob Mihajlov, Erin Morin, Lynne Negron, Donna Newton, Dee Dee & Alan Olsen, Laurie Quinn Knapic, Steven Reif, Dr. Jonathan Richter, Soren Roe, Barbara Russo, Deborah & Dr. Mark Russo, Deirdre Russo, Penny Shatz, Sabrina Simon, Lorrie Vaccaro, Rowena Villaruel, and Roma & Bill Wilkinson.
Join the Halloween Bash Community
If you want to be a part of the Halloween Bash community, there’s still time to donate. Check out the Bash Journal to see fun photos and learn more about its impact.
Interested in joining the Bash committee or hosting a Bash event in your city? Contact Isabella, NFED’s Development Coordinator at Isabella@nfed.org.
Ready to start a fundraiser of your own? Get inspired.
Have questions or comments? Contact us.