Written By Lisa Breslin

More than 600 people gathered at Martin’s West in Baltimore on March 1 to dine, dance and celebrate the services and accomplishments of Westminster-based Target Community and Educational Services, Inc.

Target’s annual Spring Gala, a $125-per-person, black-tie-optional affair, raised $112,000, according to Tom Zirpoli, the organization’s president and CEO. In addition to ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, money raised through the live and silent auction of a record number of more than 150 items contributed to the event’s success.

Zirpoli credited much of the Spring Gala’s success to Sandy Sipes, Target’s new director of development and community relations, and Kay Pitts, a former member of Target’s board of directors.

Northrop Grumman was designated as a premier sponsor of the event. Other major donors included Watson’s Garden Center of Lutherville, MD, and Venable LLP, a law firm with offices in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and New York.

The mission of Target Community and Educational Services, Inc. is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities through quality, community-based residential, vocational and educational services.