Usually, a child’s visit to the Port Discovery Children’s Museum means getting to play various games, create crafts, and explore different parts of the museum. The same held true for about 370 grown-ups who descended on the museum for its annual “Play It Forward” gala. There were games and craft stations set up around Port Discovery. Since this year’s theme centered on magic, magicians, acrobats and aerialists added to the evening’s entertainment.
Of course, for this crowd, “play” also involved a cocktail hour and seated dinner. And their play clothes meant glitter and glitz, high heels instead of sneakers, with event co-chairs Ashley Hatter, Dr. Julie Militello, Robyn Murphy and Keisha McClain leading the way in style.
The party raised some $35,000 for the museum’s At Play Learning Institute programs.
The playful mood of the party was set in the front lobby of Port Discovery, as guests were offered champagne served by an aerialist. (Sloane Brown)From left – Event committee members: Christina Smith, Christina Giffin, Monument Sotheby’s realtor, and Ashley Hatter, committee co-chair, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)
From left – Christine Johnson, Howard County Public Schools assistant principal, and Lance Johnson, PNC commercial banker/former Baltimore Blast player, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)From left – Brin Zink, stay-at-home mom, Tommy Zink, MDP vice president, Ashley McLain, community volunteer, and Matt McLain, Victor Capital Partners partner, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)Acrobats and aerialists entertained the gathering during dinner at “Play It Forward 2025.” (Sloane Brown)
From left – Barbara Rookard, musician, Hope Myers, Port Discovery vice president of exhibits and facilities, and Dennis Rasmussen, Port Discovery board chair, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)From left – Kionne Abdul-Malik, US Social Security Administration executive officer, and Mansur Abdul-Malik, commercial real estate developer, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)After a cocktail hour in the main part of the museum, guests settled into Port Discovery’s Atrium for dinner at “Play It Forward 2025: The Magic of Play.” (Sloane Brown)
From left – Dr. Aaron Heath, Westminster rheumatologist, Dr. Julie Militello, Westminster concierge internist/event co-chair, Elodie Raver, stay-at-home mom, and Shawn Raver, Towson Mechanical Inc. owner, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)From left – Michael Brown, Wilde Lake High School principal, Danielle Brown, McCormick sales executive, Robyn Murphy, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts CEO/event co-chair, and Jason Murphy, Murphy Enterprise CEO, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)From left – Jennifer Burns, stay-at-home mom/community volunteer, Carter Polakoff, Port Discovery president/CEO, and Dorie Fain, &Wealth Partners founder/CEO, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)
From left – Jan Logsdon, homemaker, Chris Logsdon, Maryland Insurance Adjusters owner, and Jody Davis, Baltimore-based fashion designer, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)From left – Lucky Thompson, Luckie’s Ice Cream, Coffee & Candy owner/Port Discovery board member/event committee member, Allison Weir, Tilly Distribution chief HR officer, and Veida Horn, Veida Sadri design owner, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)From left – John Barrett, W.R. Grace solution architect, Jenny Barrett, Mariposa Education director of programs, Ann Towsend, Mariposa Education chief academic officer, and Matt Cimino, Maryland Department of Commerce senior manager of business development, at “Play It Forward 2025” (Sloane Brown)
