Brick by Brick: Celebrating What We Built with La Guama & Gajo Largo
This year’s Leadership Dinner celebrates the shared impact of Bridges to Community and our partner communities La Guama and Gajo Largo.
What began with a few block homes has grown into a deep partnership grounded in community leadership, perseverance, and real collaboration. Together, we built homes, a school during the pandemic, bathrooms, and completed critical repairs, while also expanding opportunities through scholarships, small business loans, and agricultural support.
La Guama and Gajo Largo have also welcomed hundreds of volunteers over the years, sharing their daily lives with us and making everyone feel truly at home. The friendships formed, the bonds created, and the shared experiences along the way are something no one who lived them will ever forget.
This evening is dedicated to honoring the communities whose leadership and commitment made this work possible, and to celebrating what we have built together—brick by brick.
Celebrating Outstanding Impact
Honorees of the Year
The Lahn family participated in their first Bridges trip in 2014, helping build the community youth center in Derrumbadero, Dominican Republic. Since then, the family has taken part in a combined 30 trips to both Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
As trip leaders, Mike and Lori have recruited hundreds of neighbors, friends, family members, and work colleagues to participate in Bridges experiences and have contributed to the construction of 10 homes.
The Lahns have also organized and participated in numerous medical and public health trips, extending their impact beyond construction projects.
During the pandemic, Mike was a member of the volunteer committee that advocated to keep Bridges alive and engaged while international programs were paused. He also served on the Bridges Board of Directors from 2019 to 2025, including three years as Board Chair.
2026 Bridge Builder Award Recipient
Miranda Jennings first joined Bridges to Community at 16 years old.
Nearly 30 years later, she is still here.
Since 1997, Miranda has served Bridges as a volunteer, staff member, International Volunteer Coordinator, and Country Director in Nicaragua. She played a key role in evolving Bridges’ model from individual construction projects into a comprehensive, community-led development approach a work she considers one of the greatest privileges of her life.
Inspired by her experiences, Miranda earned a Master’s Degree in International Development and Community Change from Clark University. Today she serves as Executive Director of the Winchendon Community Action Committee, leading programs in youth leadership, workforce development, food security, and housing stability guided by the same values Bridges first taught her.
She and her husband Jared, a former Bridges staff member, continue to lead student trips each year. For Miranda, this award is a reflection not of what she has given to Bridges, but of all that Bridges has given to her.
Tickets & Tables
Join Us at the Table
$175 / Individual Ticket
One seat
Cocktail hour & appetizers
Sit-down dinner
Program journal
$2,500 / Full Table · 10 Seats
Ten seats at a private table
Full page journal ad
Mention from the podium
Cocktail hour & appetizers S
Sit-down dinner
Sponsorship Opportunities
Make a Lasting Impression
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Level
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Investment
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Benefits
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|---|---|---|
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Event Sponsor
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$20,000
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20 tickets · Corporate banner · Podium recognition as Event Sponsor · Full page ad · Banner ad on website
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Platinum
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$15,000
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15 tickets · Corporate banner · Program recognition · Full page ad · Banner ad on website
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Gold
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$10,000
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10 tickets · Corporate banner · Program recognition · Full page ad · Banner ad on website
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Silver
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$7,500
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10 tickets · Half page ad · Logo on event website
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EVENT DETAILS
How to Join Us
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
Venue: Davenport Mansion, 400 Davenport Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10805
Attire: Business formal
Dietary restrictions? Please notify us at info@bridgestocommunity.org after purchasing your ticket.