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