Photos: The New England Center for Children’s Annual Gala

Check out the scenes from the November 15, 2019, event at Boston's InterContinental Hotel.

By Lindsay Cadigan· 11/26/2019, 1:50 p.m.

Held on Nov. 15 at Boston’s InterContinental Hotel, nearly 500 business leaders, philanthropists, and NECC families and friends enjoyed a lively evening of awards, auctions, and stories of inspiration.
“Reaching the $1 million mark is a milestone for The New England Center for Children’s annual gala,” said Vinnie Strully, NECC’s founder and CEO.

The funds raised will support NECC’s comprehensive autism education programs, teacher professional development, research, instructional technology, and vocational programming. The Gala was co-chaired by Elizabeth Wetherbee Klein and Matthew Wosk and hosted by NESN’s Jenny Johnson. Among the guests were Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services, Marylou Sudders; former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and his wife Kitty; New England Patriots sports commentator, Bob Socci; Boston 25 News anchor, Heather Hegedus; and comedian and actor Robert Smigel and screenwriter Michelle Saks Smigel. Live music from Groove Authority capped off the night.

Erland Construction, Inc. and the Erland Charitable Foundation were honored with the 2019 Community Autism Champion Award for their commitment to fundraising for autism education and research. The NECC 2019 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award was given to Andrew Roberts for his inspiring personal and vocational achievement in sports commentating. Andrew received home-based early intervention services at NECC when he was a young child and is now a high school sophomore.

“NECC is incredibly fortunate to have a community of supporters who contributed to the success of the 2019 Children of Promise Gala,” said Jared Bouzan, NECC Chief Development Officer. “We also celebrated the incredible work of our teaching staff, who work tirelessly to help children with autism be successful. As a parent of a child with autism, I am overjoyed to recognize the meaningful work our teachers do every day.”

Photography by: Pierce Harman