2026 Springtime Gala Raises $630,000

Cardinal Cushing Centers’ Springtime Gala Raises $630,000 with Over 450 Attendees “Legacy of Giving” Theme Celebrates Community Leaders and Emerging Philanthropists

Cardinal Cushing Centers, a nonprofit organization serving exceptional students and adults since 1947 and one of the South Shore’s largest employers, proudly announced that its annual Springtime Gala raised nearly $630,000 to support individuals with intellectual disabilities. Held at the Seaport Hotel Boston, the event welcomed more than 450 guests and remains Cardinal Cushing Centers’ largest fundraising event of the year.

The evening featured dinner, an awards presentation, the Cushing Collection fund-a-need initiative, and the event’s signature highlight — a fashion show showcasing students and adults with intellectual disabilities walking the runway alongside celebrity guests.

This year’s “Legacy of Giving” theme recognized individuals and families who are committed not only to philanthropy, but also to inspiring future generations to give back. The Richard Cardinal Cushing Award was presented to Kelley and Eddie McGrath, whose family ties to Cardinal Cushing Centers date back to the organization’s founding in 1947. Through both their personal philanthropy and their work through Rockland Recovery, the McGraths have dedicated significant time, resources, and support to advancing the mission of Cardinal Cushing Centers over many years.

“The McGraths have been the epitome of the night’s theme, Legacy of Giving,” said Cushing President and CEO Michelle Markowitz. “They have volunteered on campus, donated tickets to ballgames, helped us fundraise … they are very involved and are passing that mindset down to their children.”

Eddie and Kelley were not only honored at the event for their philanthropy over the years, but they also recruited over a dozen addiction recovery centers and other businesses from across New England to support the evening, and raised over $200,000 for the nonprofit.

The Franciscan Leadership Award was presented to Cushing’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee (PGAC) and accepted by current and former Committee Chair members Tim Barry, Principal at CLA, and Jeffrey Smith, Executive Vice President, Head of Wealth Management for Cambridge Trust. The PGAC is a group of knowledgeable volunteers in the finance and accounting fields who donate their time to help Cushing supporters plan their long-term giving, not only now but beyond one’s lifetime. Examples of ways to give include naming Cushing on an IRA, 401K, as a beneficiary in ones will, or a remainder trust.

“When people with generous hearts include Cushing in their future planning, Cushing is able to invest these gifts which helps them grow over time,” explained Markowitz. “That provides long-term financial security to an organization that is counted on by so many – not just today but also well into the future.”

Local business “celebrities” walking the runway with Cushing participants included Jeff Bellows, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts walking with Emilee D.; Kim Kroha – Partner at Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro and Cushing board member walking with her daughter and Meredith O.; Elena Kirkiles – Senior Vice President at Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage walking with Nick H.; Eli Florence – President and CEO at Florence Electric & Kaydon Integrated Technologies and Kayla Florence, Director of Finance at Rockland Recovery walking with Nora C.; Kevin Stevens – Founder, Power Forward, Inc. and US Olympian & US Hockey of Fame Inductee walking with Ari T.; Stephen DiPrete – Chief Commercial Banking Officer at South Shore Bank walking with Jen P.; Cooper Amster – Superintendent at Delphi Construction and Rebecca Ray – Architect at Architectural Resources Cambridge walking with Matt R.; Senator Patrick O’Connor – Massachusetts State Senator walking with Julie E.; Robin Jones – Executive Director at Arbella Insurance Foundation walking with Michael JB.; Brandon Novak – Motivational speaker, author, former professional skateboarder and MTV personality walking with Greg R.; and Eddie McGrath – Founder and CEO of Rockland Recovery and his wife Kelley walking with Dayshawn A.

John Turco, SVP and Partner at the Baldwin Group, emceed the event. The evening’s largest sponsors included, The Flatley Foundation, Rockland Recovery, Ted and Maureen English, Abella Insurance Foundation, TJX Companies, and Claudia Sorgi and Doug Briggs, among many others.