For the Abbott House 2026 Loving Arms Awards & Dinner Dance at Westchester Country Club, The TAGS Group partnered with the organization’s in-house team to support communications; on-site fundraising, including auction development and presentation; the visual environment, and guest experience.

A mission you can feel.

Abbott House supports foster children and adults with complex needs throughout the Hudson Valley. Its Flower to Hive workshop series gives children an opportunity to learn about bees while nurturing emotional growth, curiosity, and resilience. Generously sponsored by one of the evening’s honorees, the Flower to Hive program provided a meaningful starting point for the event’s décor and guest experience.

In the club’s dramatic grand foyer, guests mingled over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, browsed the silent auction, and enjoyed a performance by a talented young cellist.

The TAGS Group helped shape individual donations into distinctive silent auction packages, developing names, descriptions, and coordinated displays that made each offering easy to understand and imagine enjoying. Coffee essentials became “The Daily Grind.” Movie-night treats became “A Reel Good Night.” Fashion, cultural experiences, dining, and home goods received the same attention to their individual appeal. Framed descriptions and QR codes connected the physical displays to online bidding while recognizing the generosity of the donors behind each package.

In the ballroom, black draping and warm amber lighting framed the stage. Gold honeycomb structures brought the bee-inspired theme into the room, while coordinated podium signage, screen graphics, and printed programs carried the event’s identity throughout the evening. Bright orange napkins, seasonal flowers, and small points of light brought warmth to the tables.

Bringing the evening together.

Behind the scenes, TAGS helped develop drafts of the scripts and the run of show, coordinated with venue and production vendors, and led technical rehearsals. On event day, our team managed on-site logistics and fundraising support, with founder Stacy Leistner calling the show—coordinating stage action and technical cues to keep the program moving.

The evening brought together honoree recognition, a mission-focused fundraising appeal, and live music—with the TAGS team taking the first twirls and dips to help get the dance floor moving.

Working alongside Abbott House’s team, TAGS helped connect the words, visuals, and production details into a welcoming experience grounded in the organization’s work.

Event photos by KellyAnn Petry (@kellyannpetry)