Roberts travels the road to volunteerism

For more than 25 years, travel agent and certified autism travel professional Holly Roberts has been quietly working behind the scenes, ensuring Cushing graduates get to fully experience the happiest place on earth. 

When Cushing first started fundraising for graduating seniors to go on a fully-paid vacation to Walt Disney World, Roberts immediately got involved. She helps coordinate details of the trip and even arrives at the hotel a day early to secure room keys and greet the students upon arrival. 

“That way, there’s no waiting and they can go directly to their rooms, which is just what they need,” said Roberts. “It’s so heartwarming when I’m in the lobby and see them walk in. They’re so happy to be there and it’s such a special time in their lives.” 

The annual trip has become a milestone event that Cushing students look forward to for years, and for many, it is their first vacation. Funds for the trip are raised at Cushing’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Auction, sponsored by South Shore Bank. Roberts has also served on the planning committee for the event. This year’s event raised $150,000 and all 14 students in Cushing’s graduating class will be Orlando-bound this spring. 

Roberts, a Hanover resident, worked for Liberty Travel for many years and is still working two days a week with a former colleague who started her own firm, Travel Designers in Hingham. She also volunteers at Take 2, the thrift shop at Cushing’s MarketPlace, every Friday. 

“It’s fun working there with the other volunteers and students,” she said. 

Roberts’ late daughter, Erin, attended Cushing for a short time in her teens in the ’90s. She was born with Niemann-Pick Type C, a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease, and passed away at age 24. Roberts and her husband, Michael, also have a younger daughter, Rebecca, and three grandchildren. 

“Cushing has always been such a wonderful place to be, and I still love going back,” said Roberts. “The employees there care and they want to be there, and you just see the big smiles on the students’ faces.”