May Institute’s 60th Anniversary Fundraising Event Raises $247,000
06/9/15
Randolph, Mass. – Dedicated supporters have helped May Institute raise $247,000 at its
Anniversary Celebration – 60 Years of Shaping Futures, Changing Lives event. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support May Institute’s children’s programs and adult services, technology advancement, and employee initiatives. May Institute supports individuals with autism spectrum disorder, brain injury, and other special needs, and provides services across the lifespan.
View photo album of the event.
More than 350 sponsors, families and individuals served, staff, donors, board members, and others attended the sold-out 60
th anniversary celebration at the Granite Links Golf Club, in Quincy, Mass., on April 9
th. The Reverend Liz Walker, Pastor of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church, and former WBZ TV news anchor, served as mistress of ceremonies. This first-of-its-kind fundraiser for the organization exceeded all goals set for the event through dollars raised, sponsorships, and attendance.
Event sponsorships came from 55 corporate partners and individual donors. Leading corporate sponsors included Presenting Partner
United Benefit Services (UBS) and Anniversary Partner
Century Bank. Visionary Sponsors were
Arbella Insurance Group and
Telamon Insurance & Financial Network.
View a complete list of corporate sponsors and hosts.
“The evening was a tremendous success, both from a fundraising perspective – thanks in large part to our generous corporate donors – and also from the standpoint of community and celebration,” said Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, President and CEO of May Institute and event co-chair. “For 19 years, I have had the privilege of coming to work every day and being invigorated by our dedicated staff and the remarkable and resilient individuals and families we serve. This was an evening to celebrate them all.”
“Given that this was a first for us, it was critical to have an active, experienced, event committee partnering with us throughout this entire process,” said Neal Todrys, secretary of May Institute’s Board of Trustees, donor, and co-chair of the event. “This particular group of parents and professionals were outstanding in their support and leadership. We are extremely grateful to them.”
One of the highlights of the evening was guest speaker Declan Finn, a student at the May Center School for Brain Injury and Related Disorders in Brockton, Mass. He shared his first-hand experience with brain injury, the challenges it presents, and the lessons it has taught him. Declan received two standing ovations and moved many in the audience to tears.
The major fundraising effort of the evening was a live auction that included big-ticket items such as a South African safari; grandstand seats at the finish line of the Tour de France; and tickets to three Tony award-winning Broadway musicals. Encouraged by Auctioneer Robin S.R. Starr, Vice President of Skinner, winning bidders raised close to $25,000 for May Institute.
As part of the evening’s festivities, Dr. Solotar presented the
2015 Excellence in Leadership Award to Terese L. Brennan, Senior Vice President of Quality Improvement and Compliance for May Institute.
The event also provided the organization with the opportunity to unveil “Faces. Voices. Lives. 60 Years at May Institute,” a multi-media initiative that shows the faces and tells the stories of individuals who have impacted and been impacted by May Institute over the past 60 years.
View photo album of the event here.
About May Institute
May Institute has its roots in a family’s vision of enabling children with autism and other disabilities to lead the fullest lives possible. The organization’s first school for children with autism was founded on Cape Cod in 1955 by Dr. Jacques May and his wife, Marie Anne. Two of the school’s first students were the May’s twin boys.
Today, May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs. The organization provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals, as well as training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems. At more than 150 service locations across the country, highly trained staff work to create new and more effective ways to meet the special needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. For more information, or to donate, call 800.778.7601 or visit
www.mayinstitute.org.
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