2025 Springtime Gala Raises Nearly $600,000 for People with Disabilities

Evening’s “Legacy of Giving” theme honors the next generation of philanthropists

Cardinal Cushing Centers, an organization that has been supporting exceptional students and adults since 1947 and is one of South Shore Boston’s largest employers, is pleased to announce that its annual Springtime gala raised nearly $600,000 for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The event at the Boston Seaport Hotel attracted a crowd of over 400 guests –and is Cushing’s largest fundraiser of the year.

The event included dinner, Cushing Collection (Cushing’s fund-a-need), an awards presentation, and the highlight of the evening – a fashion show featuring students and adults with intellectual disabilities who walked the runway alongside “celebrity” models including Jim Dunphy, President & CEO of South Shore Bank; Meg Kelleher, Cushing Board member; Nancy Altimonte, HR Director at the Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod; Cece Briggs, Nurse Practitioner at Mass General Brigham; Michael Ruh, Cushing Board member and Director at FoxRock Properties; Briana Curran, Executive Director at JP Morgan Chase; Michael Smith, Managing Partner at Shipyard Development; Annissa Essaibi George, former CEO of Big Sister Boston and owner of Stitch House Dorchester; Julie Auld, Assistant Vice President at State Street Corporation; Denver Gibbs, CEO of Gibbs Software Solutions; Jake Domos, Music Tour Manager; Meghan O’Loughlin, Creator of Meghan O Designs; and Eddie McGrath, Founder and CEO of Rockland Recovery, and his wife, Kelley.

This year’s “Legacy of Giving” theme celebrated honorees who not only feel called to give, but are raising the next generation to do the same. The Richard Cardinal Cushing Award went to honoree Jerry Vitti of Milton, whose daughter Francesca goes to Cushing, and his amazing family.

“Between Jerry serving on the Board for over 10 years, the family championing a 5K to raise money for Cushing, and all of the endless volunteerism, financial and spiritual support over the years, the Vitti Family is so deserving of this award,”

The Franciscan Leadership Award was given to honoree Maria Wood-Smith of Hanover, whose organization, Fearless Focus in Pembroke, has been helping boys and girls discover their full potential with empowerment classes, as well as volunteering for Cushing’s many events and fundraisers.

“Maria has been empowering not just an entire community of young people but also those at Cushing for decades, and she is bringing up the next generation to believe what we already know – that everyone is different, everyone is special, and everyone should be valued,”

John Turco, SVP and Partner at the Baldwin Group, emceed the event. Sponsors included, among many others, The Flatley Foundation, Ted and Maureen English, Alera Group, TJX Companies, Quincy Mutual Group, and Healthcare Financial.