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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Princeton, NJ, United States, 10/27/2008 - KSS Architects is honored to announce it has received The Calais Foundation's second annual "Making a Difference" award for its long-term interest and confirmation to the learning-challenged community through volunteer and financial support.
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Architectural design firm KSS Architects, with offices in Princeton, N.J., and Philadelphia, is honored to announce it has received The Calais Foundation's second annual "Making a Difference" award. Michael Shatken, AIA, managing partner of KSS, accepted the award on the firm's behalf at an Oct. 16 fundraiser gala before a crowd of nearly 200 supporters. The event raised more than $100,000, which will go toward enrichment and academic programs that support the foundation's mission to help children with learning and behavioral problems as they overcome their challenges.
The Calais Foundation, a nonprofit charity, presents the award each year to individuals and groups that demonstrate a long-term interest and commitment to the learning challenged community through volunteer and financial support. In 2007, KSS designed an addition and renovation at The Calais School, Whippany, N.J., a private K-12 school for students with special needs that serves students in 90 school districts in 10 northern New Jersey counties. KSS also provided support in construction management, fundraising and marketing that helped the project become a reality.
Shatken, who also served as KSS' partner-in-charge for The Calais School renovation, said the firm was humbled by the recognition.
"Teaching and encouraging a student with special needs to become a positive contributor to society is a remarkable achievement," he said. "The Calais School achieves this for countless young people, and KSS Architects is proud to have received The Calais Foundation's award."
The foundation also presented its "Leitner Excellence in Education Award" to Alfred Tagliabue, a lifelong educator who is now a learning consultant and supervisor at The Calais School.
The Renaissance Gala took place on Oct. 16 at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, N.J. Guests met Student Ambassadors, students currently enrolled at The Calais School, and competed in a silent auction of more than 40 themed gifts, ranging from board games to sport memorabilia to one of the evening's top items: a bed-and-breakfast weekend on Shelter Island that included a sailing adventure captained by Shatken.
The foundation plans to use the funds raised to help accomplish its long list of goals, which include fitting out The Calais School's Science and Library/Media Centers and strengthening transitional programs for high school graduates. A majority of the school's alumni go on to become productive members in their communities and achieve remarkable success, earning advanced degrees and becoming teachers at The Calais School. Their stories show how young people with all kinds of abilities can achieve success if someone is willing to give them a helping hand.
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