Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation Honors Six at Awards
The third annual Human Spirit Awards dinner recognized six honorees for courage, kindness and openness in Hartford.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation held its third annual Human Spirit Awards dinner Saturday at the Marriott in Hartford, honoring six people. The event celebrates the legacy of late Channel 3 anchor Denise D'Ascenzo.
Why it matters
The awards recognize individuals who embody courage, kindness and openness, drawing attention to community service in the Hartford area. The foundation's giving to local causes has reached more than $600,000.
The foundation has given more than $600,000 to local causes, and this year's dinner honored six recipients. The extraction does not disclose how much the dinner itself raised.
The players
Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation
A Hartford-area philanthropic foundation named for the late Channel 3 anchor, which supports local causes and runs the Human Spirit Awards.
Denise D'Ascenzo
A longtime Channel 3 anchor in Hartford whose legacy is celebrated through the foundation and its awards.
The details
The 2026 honorees are Andrea Hurley, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Crystal Emery, Rabbi Philip Lazowski, the Luke Roux Foundation and Ali Truwit. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation.
Timeline
Saturday, November 7, 2026: Human Spirit Awards dinner held at the Marriott in Hartford.
Philanthropy Track
The third annual dinner extends the foundation's recurring recognition program, which has steadily grown its giving to Hartford-area causes. The series ties ongoing charitable work to the memory of a well-known local broadcaster.
Local nonprofits and the causes honored at the dinner may see support tied to the foundation's giving. Residents in the Hartford area can follow the foundation's continuing work through future award cycles.
The takeaway
Recognizing everyday acts of courage, kindness and openness can keep a community's support for local causes steady over time. Readers can look for local honorees and organizations to support in their own area.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WFSB.
