Imagination Ball 2026. What an extraordinary night!
Since 1976, Please Touch Museum has brought the power of learning through play to generations of children and families. Over that half century, we have worked to ensure that the joy, discovery, and opportunity found here remain accessible to all families throughout our community.
We are thrilled to share that the Museum’s 50th birthday celebration at Imagination Ball on October 22, 2026 was the most successful fundraiser since our Memorial Hall Opening Gala in 2008.
Together, we raised more than $730,000, befitting such a milestone celebration! This remarkable achievement reflects the extraordinary leadership of our gala Honorary Chairs, Host Committee co-chairs and Board; the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and guests; and the enthusiasm of longtime friends renewing their commitment alongside new supporters joining the Please Touch Museum family.
From the wonderful energy throughout the Museum to the shared memories and optimism for the future, it was an evening that reminded us why this institution is so vital to our community and those it serves.
Our Honorees
One of the evening’s most meaningful moments was the opportunity to honor our founder, Portia Sperr, and our Emeritus President and CEO, Nancy Kolb. Their vision and leadership helped create the Museum we know and love today, and it was especially moving to celebrate them as we look toward our next 50 years.
30% of Please Touch Museum visitors attend through free or reduced-price admission programs.
Imagination Ball supports our commitment to making the joy and learning of play accessible to children and families throughout our community. Your ticket, sponsorship or donation helps expand access, sustain the experiences families love and ensure more children can experience the joy, imagination and possibility that play inspires.
Photo Gallery
Our Home
As Please Touch Museum celebrated its 50th birthday, and our home, Memorial Hall, celebrated its 150th anniversary, our local Parkside community shared their perspectives. The importance of both Memorial Hall and the Museum resonates with many people. Watch these videos to learn about the connection that our community has to Memorial Hall and the Museum.
Host Committee
Honorary Co-Chairs
Ambassador David L. Cohen (ret) & Rhonda R. Cohen
Co-Chairs
Anne Hamilton
Sue Martinelli Shea
Jennifer & Steve Shea
Abby & Kyle Ryan
Host Committee
Hallee and David Adelman
Peter and Clare Bastian
Fritz and Heather Bittenbender
The Carrochi Family
Liza Cartmell and Paul Zoubek
Sharon and Kevin Coghlan
Meg and Antelo Devereux
Diana T. Eidenshink
Ashley and Danny Govberg
Melissa Grimm
Gie and Lisa Liem
Laurie and Sam Marshall
Elizabeth Murphy
Beth Rohlfing and Dick Tewksbury
Caroline B. Rogers
Jay H. and Susie J. Shah
Kristina and Andy Shea
Darren Spielman and Liza M. Rodriguez
Daniel and Heather Sobol
Sally Stetson
Ally and Ian Street
Tom and Anne Toscani
Rick and Alana Tosti
Kyle Westphal
Robin and Jerry Williams
With Gratitude
We gratefully recognize the generous sponsors making Imagination Ball 2026 possible.
Vision | $50,000
Anne and Matt Hamilton and the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust
The Martinelli Shea Family
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor
Dream | $25,000
Ambassador David L. Cohen (ret) and Rhonda R. Cohen
Jessie G.S. Simpson Trust
Imagination | $15,000
Leigh and John Middleton
Sharon and Kevin Coghlan
Play | $10,000
Lisa Clark and David Haas
Meg and Antelo Devereux
Kate Groark-Shields, CEO, Vault Communications
Crawford Hamilton
Christyn and Jason Poore
Nancy and Roy Kolb
Abby and Kyle Ryan
Jay H. and Susie J. Shah
Ronald Street
Constance and Sankey Williams
Liza Cartmell and Paul Zoubek
Anonymous Donor
Wonder | $5,000
Lynda Barness
Burke Family Foundation
Ashley and Danny Govberg
Sarah L. Hall and Chester Crosby Hall
Meghan and Ben Johnson – Bank of America | Merrill Lynch
Dr. Barbara Klock and Salem Shuchman
Dr. Orcel Kounga and Mrs. Molly Tiedeken Kounga
Michael and Colleen Kusy
Laurie and Sam Marshall
The McNichol Family
Caroline B. Rogers
Sally Stetson
Daniel and Heather Sobol
Luis A. Torres
Timothy and Jennifer Vecchiarelli
Kyle Westphal
Anonymous Donor
Curiosity | $2,500
Elsa and Andrew Armstrong
Athena Global Advisors
Ballard Spahr LLP
Susan and Walter Buckley
Carmichael Lynch
The Carrochi Family
Connelly Foundation
Courtyard by Marriott | Philadelphia Downtown
CTN Solutions
DiBona Family Foundation
Gabriel Deck
Gallagher
GIANT
Karen Griffith Gryga (Sweeney) and Mark Sweeney
Carole Haas Gravagno
Nathaniel and Shaina Hamilton
Sam and Suzett Hamilton
Laurie and Maury Harris
Mr. and Mrs. D. Christopher Le Vine
The Millhauser Family
Neubauer Family Foundation
The Tuli Family
Western Alliance Bank
Robin and Jerry Williams
Friend | $1,000
Anago Cleaning Systems
AR Spruce
Laura and Tripp Bailey
Peter and Clare Bastian
Lynn Biondi and Brian Cunningham
Fritz and Heather Bittenbender
Mr. and Mrs. David Boreanaz
John and Gina Clark
Diana Eidenshink and Family
Ashley and Douglas Hallett
Hanlon Creative
HTMLawyers, Inc.
Knapp Masonry
The Kolb-Grove-Bigham Family
Jeff & Maureen Kohler
Major Media LLC
MidAtlantic FX
Mill Property Services
Elizabeth Murphy
Tara and Owen Murphy
Barry and Amy Renninger
Beth Rohlfing and Dick Tewksbury
Rome Advisory | Mergers & Acquisitions
Ann C. Snyder
Darren Spielman and Liza M. Rodriguez
Ally and Ian Street
Ginny and Jason Susini
Julia and Todd Tewksbury
Tom and Anne Toscani
Rick and Alana Tosti
USI Insurance Services
Visit Philadelphia
Gabe and Jessica Weissman
Withum
Contact us
Questions about philanthropic opportunities? Please contact development@pleasetouchmuseum.org.
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