Teamsters Local 25
Lights up the Night for Third Annual Gala
Annual Event Donates $170,000 to Autism Charities
Teamsters’ brothers and sisters
from near and far converged in Boston on April 10th for the
third annual Light up the Night Gala to
benefit the Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund. Taking place
for the second year at the Intercontinental Boston overlooking
the waterfront, the ballroom was packed with more than 750
Teamsters’ members, friends, families and supporters
for this Gala.
In the past three years, Teamsters Local
25 has raised a couple hundred thousand dollars for autism
research and awareness. The goal of the evening was to bring
attention to autism, while providing an entertaining and
enjoyable evening for union brothers and sisters and their
families and friends.
Shortly after doors opened at 8:00 p.m.,
the Kevin Barry Pipes and Drums band, based out of the Malden
Irish American Club, kicked off the evening with a dramatic
entrance and short musical selection. Veteran news anchor
and ardent autism supporter, Randy Price, served as emcee
for a speaking program that included Local 25 President Sean
O’Brien, Massachusetts Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Autism
Speaks’ President Mark Roithmayr, and a special video
tribute.
The culmination of the evening included
a video that introduced the Gala’s two honorees, Rita
Gardner and Joe O’Connor.
Rita Gardner is the executive director
of Melmark New England, a day and residential school in Andover,
MA. Joe O’Connor is a card carrying Teamsters
Local 25 brother, and is the co-founder of the Braintree
American Little League Challengers Division.
After the awards, the Kevin Barry Pipes & Drums closed
out the official program and The Marsels again took to the
stage to play for the rest of the evening. Guests had the
chance to purchase raffle tickets for a 2010 Harley Davidson
motorcycle or a Boston to Bermuda Cruise.
At the April 18th membership meeting, President
Sean O’Brien presented donations to Melmark New England
for $20,000 and Autism Speaks for $150,000.
Cheers for another successful event! Thank
you to all who attended!











“LIGHT
UP THE NIGHT’ A GALA FOR AUTISM
click play to watch video
|