BOSTON — More than 400 people packed the Picasso Ballroom at Encore Boston Harbor on April 8 to help Northeast Arc celebrate An Evening of Changing Lives.
The Arc says it raised more than $500,000 to support programs that help people of all abilities live as fully included members of their communities.
A highlight of the evening was an inclusive fashion show where individuals and families supported by Northeast Arc walked the runway with local celebrities, including Encore Boston Harbor CEO Jenny Holaday, state Sen. Joan Lovely, Sullivan Tire Vice President Paul Sullivan, Ocean Havens Principal Ann Lagasse, and state public health commissioner Robbie Goldstein.
The fashion show ended with former New England Patriot and two-time Super Bowl Champion Dan Koppen tossing footballs to donors in the audience.
Northeast Arc also honored two longtime advocates that evening, Julie Rainer Cummings and Tom Gould, with Changing Lives Awards.
Gould, a Peabody city councilor, is owner of Treadwell’s Ice Cream and has served on the Northeast Arc board of directors since 2018. He has supported inclusion through his Challenger Sports program in Peabody for many years. The program provides the opportunity for children with intellectual, developmental, or physical abilities to participate in modified sports with their peers.
Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt presented Gould with the Changing Lives Award.
“We estimate that we have supported over 600 Challenger athletes who have participated in our programs,” said Gould, reflecting on the more than 30 years he has run the program, to applause by athletes and families in attendance.
Rainer Cummings of Marblehead, the owner of Concept Capital, and her family has been involved with Northeast Arc since the agency’s early years. Her late sister Lisa Rainer lived in a Northeast Arc residential home for more than 40 years. Rainer Cummings has served on the organization’s board of directors for 19 years, including a term as board chair.
Jo Ann Simons, president and CEO of Northeast Arc, presented the Changing Lives Award to Rainer Cummings.
“Together as a family, we’ve experienced so much personal growth, this work shaped us all in ways I could have never imagined,” said Rainer Cummings, who also highlighted the role the agency played in her sister’s life. “The leadership and advocacy of the Arc gave us great faith, knowing that Lisa would always have a beautiful home, meaningful employment, and her social needs met, thanks to the agency’s unwavering support.”
The event’s presenting sponsors were Encore Boston Harbor and PLAN of MA & RI. Engagement sponsors were the James family, New England Biolabs and Quinn Brothers Ironworks. Shining Star sponsors were Julie and Jim Cummings, Eastern Bank Foundation, and OneDigital.
The evening ended with the fashion show that featured the following celebrities and Northeast Arc participants walking the runway together:
Kate Billingsley, Keri McGloin, and Candace Perrault, co-founders of Rock the Spectrum, walking with their children Natalie Billingsley, Rosie McGloin, and Charles Perrault
Mike Christian, board president of Someone Else’s Child walking with Emelin Alvarado-Ortiz, Pathways to Opportunities ambassador
Cassie DiOrio, Northeast Arc parent, walking with her son Joey DiOrio, Challenger Baseball and Basketball ambassador
Louise Dominique, founder of the Lynn Disability Network, walking with her children Sarina and Nathan Orelus
Heidi Ellard, Essex County Community Foundation, walking with Ethan Kearney, Special Olympics Athlete
Robbie Goldstein, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, walking with Allie and Lucy Moldaver, early intervention ambassadors
Jenny Holaday, CEO of Encore Boston Harbor, walking with Samantha Gibbs, TikTok Influencer and supported employment ambassador
Renee Connolly, Millipore Sigma, walking with Maggie King, clinical services ambassador
RoAnn Costin, Wilderness Point Investments, walking with Amaury Mejia, journeys ambassador
Caroline Hooper, Bain Capital, walking with Nico Golden, spotlight ambassador
Terry Keilty, Special Olympics, walking with Jake Shlopak, endeavor and personal care management ambassador
Ann Lagasse, Ocean Havens, walking with Ptah Basden, adult family care ambassador
Sen. Joan Lovely, 2nd Essex District, walking with Davis Raymond, residential ambassador
Paul Sullivan, Sullivan Tire, walking with Max Vanderwilden, recreation ambassador
Carolina Trujillo, Lynn Affordable Housing Trust Fund, walking with Yonari Ruiz, pathways to opportunities ambassador