At Walker, we hope our work inspires new generations to service, so they too may work to improve the lives of children and families, in ways that we, perhaps, cannot yet imagine.
Lives In Bloom Gala salutes 50 years of Walker
Event raises $366,000 for Walker children and families
The 2011 Walker Lives In Bloom Gala, held last month at Boston’s Westin Waterfront Hotel, proved to be a spectacular evening, with more than 400 guests and friends of Walker in attendance. The event marked Walker’s 50th anniversary and raised over $366,000 for the children and families served by Walker.
The elegant evening event was co-chaired by Kari Culhane and Wendy Paul and paid tribute to several organizations and individuals who helped to establish Walker as a leader in special education and children’s mental health services: Intex Solutions, Jean Veigas & the Needham Congregational Church, Bank of America, longtime Walker nursing director Elaine McGovern, and former chairman of the Walker board of directors Jerome Kanter (in memoriam).
Walker Executive Director Richard W. Small also made a point of remembering the many contributors to Walker’s success over the past five decades. 
“As we salute these extraordinary honorees, let us also remember the thousands of others, here tonight in spirit, who offered their hard work, generosity, and dedication to Walker.”
Guests enjoyed the music of the Beantown Swing Orchestra, an 18-piece swing band led by lead vocalist John Stevens, of American Idol. Billy Costa dazzled the crowd with his witty and entertaining auctioneering, assisted by an impromptu appearance by Sue Brady of Mix 104.1 FM, who shared her personal story of the ways that Walker has helped her own family. Together they raised a record $85,000 in live auction bids!
Visit our Flickr album to view pictures of the event.
The event committee is especially grateful to the Lives In Bloom Gala’s Community Connections Sponsors: Intex Solutions, Proactive Community, Bank of America, Middlesex Savings Bank, United Benefit Services, Akamai Technologies, Pegasystems, Inc., Mark and Carolyn Ain, John and Mary Boyle, Pete and De Simone, and The Thorndike Family.
Save the date! Next year’s event will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2012. The 2011-2012 Lives In Bloom Gala committee will be co-chaired by Laurel Lyle and Anne Nadeau. For more information about the event or to get involved with the committee, please contact Nicole Hand, Manager of Events and Corporate Giving, by e-mail or at 781-292-2160.
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