Remembering the Past…Celebrating the Present…Securing the Future:

More than 400 people gathered at the Seaport World Trade Center on September 30^th to commemorate The Arc’s five decades of advocacy and to renew their commitment to the organization’s mission: to enhance the lives of individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities and their families.

The black-tie Gala brought together past and present leaders of The Arc from all parts of the Commonwealth, along with self-advocates, family members, government officials and professionals in the field, who joined in celebrating the many achievements of the organization. The event, chaired by Cynthia and Mark Haddad, was an enormous success. “This has been a journey-of-a-lifetime,” they commented. “We are honored and overwhelmed by the tremendous support of this celebration and by the generosity in response to our fundraising efforts. Never had we imagined just nine months ago that we would exceed our fundraising goal by 50 percent. Nor did we ever expect the event to sell over 400 seats as quickly as it did. We are thrilled to have increased awareness and support of The Arc IN Massachusetts for future generations.” 

Pianist Paul Katz livened the cocktail reception while guests viewed displays that focused on the history of both the statewide organization and the local chapters. It was definitely a “trip down Memory Lane,” commented one guest. Newspaper clippings, photographs, fundraising appeals, program announcements and other memorabilia reminded the attendees of the challenges and achievements that characterized the disability movement throughout the past half-century. 

Each guest received a copy of the just-published history of The Arc of Massachusetts. The illustrated booklet was truly a labor of love for Mary Lou Maloney and Dan Becker, who nurtured the project over the past 6 months. Among the many others who contributed to the history were a group of “consulting historians” – longtime Arc leaders such as Joe Buonomo, Arthur and Barbara Connelly, Hal Demone, Florence Finkel, Norman Fredette, Ray Nickerson and Jane Smith – who shared their knowledge of the organization’s past at a meeting in June. Board member Janet Rico, volunteer Sharon Katz and various Arc staff members also played vital roles in sifting through archival materials both in The Arc’s office and at the Samuel Gridley Howe Library, located on the grounds at the Fernald Center.

Channel 4’s morning anchor, Paula Ebben, served as Master of Ceremonies, introducing the various elements of the evening’s program as dinner progressed. Following a toast by event Co-Chairs, Cynthia and Mark Haddad, and greetings from Board president André Blanchet and Executive Director Leo Sarkissian, the participants viewed a video about Honorary Chairman Rex Trailer and his role in the Wagon Train of 1959. The unveiling of The Arc’s new fundraising video, produced by BoMin Communications Group, Inc., pulled at the heart strings of the crowd. Family and friends were in attendance to support the 14 honorees from the past five decades. Throughout the evening, an ensemble from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy entertained guests with a broad range of musical selections.

Reflecting on the evening, The Arc’s president, André Blanchet, stated, “What a way to celebrate! We celebrate the civic commitment of generations of families and the new opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live a good life in the community. Celebration is good, we don’t do it often enough!”

 (L-R) Master of Ceremonies, CBS4's Paula Ebben; Honorary Chairman Rex Trailer;
Gala Co-Chairs Cynthia and Mark Haddad; and Arc Executive Director Leo V. Sarkissian