2010 Gala
Perkins Gala Raises $1.4 M; Bob Weir Performs with Student Chorus
Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead in rehearsal with the Perkins Secondary Chorus
On Thursday, May 6, 2010, 700 people gathered at Perkins to support the organization’s global education efforts to build productive, meaningful lives for children and adults around the world who are blind, deafblind or multiply disabled. The 2010 Perkins Possibilities Gala brought in over $1.4 million, far exceeding the 2009 gala fundraising total of $1.27 million.
Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead was the surprise musical guest and played songs alongside the Perkins student chorus. Weir shared the stage with tie-dye clad students for tunes including, “Uncle John’s Band,’’ Sugar Magnolia,’’ and “Ripple.’’ Later in the evening Weir's autographed guitar from the performance sold for $21,000 during a live auction. Eight other auction items included a New York City Fashion Week package and Prom Primping for Perkins students that sold for a record high bid of $40,000.
The Possibilities Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for Perkins. In addition to the musical performances, guests heard speeches from Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, whose son Campbell is a Perkins student, and Perkins Deafblind Program graduate Chris Jett, who assured the audience that his disability has never and will never impede his dreams for the future. Jett heavily credited the education and opportunities he received during his time at Perkins with allowing him to live in his own apartment, work a part-time job, and be an active member of the community.
Corinne Grousbeck, Perkins Trust Board chair and gala co-chair, was delighted with the turnout for the event. “When you see the accomplishments of the students here on campus, and then multiply that hundreds of thousands of times around the globe, it gives you chills,” she said.
View Our Gala Photo Gallery!
View Special Performance by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and Perkins Secondary Chorus
Learn More About Our Event:
For more information about our Perkins Possibilities Gala, please contact Emily Goodman, Manager of Special Events at 617-972-7583 or via email at emily.goodman@Perkins.org
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