On May 1, 2009, the Federation for Children with Special Needs celebrated their 35th Anniversary with a Spring Gala at the Seaport Hotel Boston. It was an unforgettable evening of celebration.

Angela Peri, our outstanding master of ceremonies, entertained us with her wit and loving stories about her son Rocco. Academy Award winning actor Chris Cooper and actress and screenwriter Marianne Leone Cooper graciously accepted the Federation’s Martha H. Ziegler Founders Award for their dedication to underserved families in need of advocacy support and services for their children. Marianne spoke of their son, Jesse Lanier Cooper, who was an inspirational young man. In 2005, the Coopers established the Jesse Advocacy Fund at the Federation in his memory. This fund has helped to improve the quality of life for countless families across Massachusetts. The Federation is grateful to Chris and Marianne for their continued generosity and support of families of children with special needs.

Trish Orlovsky received this year’s Patricia Blake Advocacy Award in recognition of advocacy she has done on behalf of hundreds of Massachusetts families.

Bill Henderson received the Federation’s President’s Award. Dr. Henderson recently retired as principal at the Patrick O’Hearn School, which has been renamed the William W. Henderson Elementary Inclusion School, in his honor.

The evening included a reception and silent auction, as well as entertainment. The silent auction featured items from the Bruins, Red Sox, and Celtics, gift certificates for hotels and restaurants, museum passes, works of art from local artists, cruises and much more. The smooth jazz of the Tough Love Trio provided a lovely ambiance for the silent auction and reception.

The Haggerty Chimes Ensemble of the Daniel A. Haggerty School, a model inclusion school in Cambridge, played three beautiful songs. This Ensemble, directed by Lynne Carter, is comprised of students of all abilities; their performance left the audience both moved and entertained. The evening concluded with a comedy routine by Patty Ross, a national entertainer.

Mark your calendars now for next year’s Gala on May 21, 2010. We hope to see you there.