WESTFIELD, NJ — On July 21, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., The James Ward Mansion, d’Luxe Events and Frungillo Caterers will team up to host a special event celebrating the life of Darren Lederman, a Westfield dad who died from leukemia in March.
Tickets are $50 each for an evening of hors d’ouevres, desserts, dancing, a tricky tray and entertainment. Money raised will go to help Darren’s children, Emma and Noah Lederman, and wife, Stacey Katcher Lederman.
For tickets, RSVP to ledermanstrongcelebrates@gmail.com with your mailing address. Checks can be made out to Stacey Lederman.
Danielle Aspromatis, owner of d’Luxe Events, said she grew up with Stacey and her brothers in Westfield.
“I did not know Darren and had been out of touch with Stacey for many years, but through the Lederman Strong Facebook posts and updates, I became so emotionally tied to Stacey once more,” Aspromatis said. “Their story is one that could happen to anyone of us with another flip of the coin. I am a mom and a wife and, as both, I felt like I had to do something to help them. I would want my community to help me if I had to endure what Stacey and her children have had to go through. Community is supposed to rally around those who need help. And as human beings, we should all be able to not only to put ourselves in others’ shoes to empathize, but we should all be able to take action, whatever small action that may be.”
Aspromatis specializes in wedding planning.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be amazing if the incredible vendors that I work with would help me throw an event where 100 percent of the proceeds could go to the Lederman family?” she said. “Love binds us together as a community and as a human race and that is what we were put on this planet to experience. Sometimes we have to deal with the opposite of that too — loss, grief and heartbreak. But we shouldn’t have to experience those things alone. It’s as simple as that.”
Sponsors and donors making the event possible include:
Event planner: d’Luxe Events
Venue: James Ward Mansion
Caterer: Frungillo
DJ/MC: Paul Anthony Entertainment
Desserts: The Dessert Ladies
Hair/Makeup: Beauty Artist Group
Photography: Bright Lights Studio
Beer and Sangria: Peerless Distributors
Magician: Simon Mandal, The Simon Show
Stationery: Little Black Dress Paperie
Florals: Blue Jasmine Florals
Sushi: Akai Sushi
Cinematography: Kaan Tulgar Video
Mentalist: Fred Berthalot
Red Carpet Photobooth: Randall L Photography
Wardrobe: Lord & Taylor Westfield
To learn about becoming a sponsor or to donate giveaway items, contact Aspromatis at dluxeplanning@gmail.com.
The James Ward Mansion is located at 169 East Broad St. in Downtown Westfield.
