MARSHFIELD, QUINCY and SOUTH SHORE, MA, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 28, 2018…Road To Responsibility (RTR; http://roadtoresponsibility.org), one of the region’s largest and most successful non-profit organizations, announced today that their Making Lives Better Gala, held on September 21, raised $298,115 to directly benefit the organization. This amount is the most raised at the Gala in at least 10 years, and almost doubles the amount raised from just three years ago.
A silent auction and raffle prizes (including a 1 carat diamond and gold bracelet valued at over $1,625 and donated by Hingham Jewelers and an assortment of premium whiskeys valued at over $800) contributed to the amount raised, as did numerous individuals who made donations throughout the evening ranging from $100 to $10,000.
The Making Lives Better Gala also featured a cocktail reception, an elegant dinner and live music, short videos highlighting some of RTR’s programs, and a moving story of one woman’s journey with her now adult child, as told by Jan Boyde. She relayed the journey with her daughter, Jennifer, who was born with a developmental disability, and shared the challenges, fears, and anxieties they have gone through together, especially once she aged out of the educational support system at age 22. After several years at another group home operated by a different agency, Boyde and her daughter came to Road To Responsibility. Boyde expressed the sheer relief at finding in RTR a true partner, and shared experiences of the joyful life filled with friendship, expression, and laughter Jennifer now leads.
NBC10 Boston Meteorologist Michael Page emceed the event, which also included a presentation of commendations to RTR by Jim Cantwell on behalf of the office of U.S. Senator Edward Markey, and by State Senator Patrick O’Connor. Mayor Joe Sullivan of Braintree and Patrick McDermott, register of probate for Norfolk County, were also present at the Gala.
Throughout its 30-year history, RTR has expanded their programs, built solid relationships with leaders and business partners, and become established as a resource in the community. Through donors’ support and their extended network, RTR has been able to serve more than 1,200 individuals and families, becoming one of the larger human service providers in the Commonwealth. RTR is also one of the largest employers in the region, providing jobs for nearly 800 people.
ITS Image Tech a Xerox company, based in Canton, Mass., served as the 30th Anniversary Presenting Sponsor for the Gala. This organization, a longtime supporter of RTR, offers managed print services and is among New England’s largest and most respected consultancy firms specializing in workflow assessment and optimization.
Additional supporters included 30th Anniversary Leadership Sponsors Apothecare Pharmacy LLC of Brockton and VHS Transportation Company, Inc./Patriot Investment Corp. of Easton; President’s Circle Sponsors Liberty Bay Credit Union and Mr. Michael Parsons & Ms. Andrea Benoit; Platinum Sponsors Black Rock Advertising and Hingham Jewelers; Gold Sponsors A. W. Perry, Inc., M&T Bank Corporation, AAX Insurance Education Foundation, Inc., Copeland Family Foundation, and Ms. Pattricia Clark; Silver Sponsors Baker, Braverman, & Barbadoro, PC, Brait Builders Corporation, Burke Distributing Company, Eastern Bank, South Shore Bank, Marcum, LLP, Hub International, Perry Brokerage Associates, SESCO Realty Trust, Enterprise Fleet Management, and Unicorn Realty; and Bronze Sponsors Signet Electronic Systems, Inc., Legacy Resnik, LLC, Rockland Trust, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Roche Bros. Sudbury Farms, Rockland Federal Credit Union, Dr. Christopher White & Ms. Treva Sabin-White, Mr. & Mrs. Donald & Sharon Clancy, Mountain One Bank, Campanelli, Callahan/Hoffman Co., South Shore Retirement Services, Screenprint/Dow, Twin Rivers Technologies, and Pilgrim Bank. The Ink Spot served as the Gala’s Print Sponsor; Tiny & Sons Auto Glass was the event’s Sweet Sponsor; Granite Links Golf Club was the Gala’s Venue Sponsor; and Three Phase Productions, Davine Events, Field Communication Associates, Inc. and Bin Ends Wine served as Event Sponsors.
“This celebration greatly surpassed our expectations, and we are so incredibly grateful for the overwhelming generosity shown to Road To Responsibility,” said Christopher White, Ed.D., CEO of Road To Responsibility. “We look forward to continuing and expanding on our work’s mission thanks to our sponsors, donors, RTR families, and friends in the community.”
About Road To Responsibility, Inc.
Celebrating 30 years of making lives better, Road To Responsibility, Inc. (RTR) was established in 1988 with the overarching belief that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to have full, rich, and rewarding lives in the community, and therefore works to provide the means, the opportunity, and the support necessary to allow citizens with disabilities to take their place as productive members of the community. RTR offers residential, work/employment, day habilitation and other day supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. RTR supports individuals with very diverse needs, including those with significant challenges who would otherwise go unserved if not for RTR. It succeeds where other organizations often fail, through the use of an integrated clinical behavioral approach. This model has proven successful and yielded positive results for the organization and the individuals served.
Road To Responsibility offers services to almost all the towns and communities throughout the South Shore and South Coast of Massachusetts, operates 48 residences as well as co-operative and supportive living apartments, and manages nine day-service locations that focus on education, employment, and community enrichment. Road To Responsibility’s main office is located at 1831 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA. For more information, please visit www.roadtoresponsibility.org.
