Above: NECC is sharing news about people worth recognizing.
The Southborough based The New England Center for Children has news to share. All three stories this fall have links to their upcoming fundraiser, the Children of Promise Gala on November 30th.
Two of NECC’s announcements relate to honors that will be bestowed there. One is for a company that supports autism education and research. Another is for a special educator.
A third announcement includes the naming of a Southborough resident to its board. Not so coincidentally, she has been credited as a driving force behind the growing success of the Gala.
Community Autism Champion Award to A&M
NECC announced it will honor Allen & Major Associates, Inc. (A&M) with its Community Autism Champion Award for 2018. A&M, a civil and structural engineering firm in Walpole, is being recognized for their dedicated and sustained commitment to supporting autism education and research. The award will be presented at the annual Children of Promise Gala on November 30 at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston.
The press release details:
The award celebrates A&M’s 20-year relationship with NECC, which began when former A&M President, Jim Major, started the tournament on behalf of CJ Ricker, who was diagnosed with autism in 1998. CJ is the son of the late Brian Ricker, also formerly of A&M, and attended NECC before transitioning to public school.
Funds raised through the annual A&M Golf Tournament have provided more than $205,000 for research and education for children with autism. Past winners of the Community Autism Champion Award include Dunkin’ Donuts (2017) and Walgreens (2016). (read more)
Educator of the Year – Dr. Jacquelyn MacDonald
NECC announced that Dr. Jacquelyn MacDonald has been named Educator of the Year. This award is bestowed upon an educator who exemplifies commitment, leadership, and excellence in autism education. Dr. MacDonald, a long-time teacher and specialist in autism, is an Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director of Applied Behavior Analysis at Regis College in Weston. The award will be presented at NECC’s annual Children of Promise Gala, to be held on Friday, November 30 at the InterContinental Boston. (www.necc.org/gala).
The press release details:
“Jacquelyn is an accomplished educator who not only has transformed the lives of children with autism, but whose influence in ‘teaching the teachers’ has spread the benefits of applied behavior analysis across the country,” said Vincent Strully, President and CEO of The New England Center or Children. (read more)
New board members include resident Elizabeth Wetherbee Klein
In September, two new members were elected to the NECC Board of Directors. Elizabeth Wetherbee Klein “a marketing consultant, volunteer and mother of three children” and Daniel N. Saul, “a private investor with early-stage technology companies.” (For more on Daniel Saul, click here.)
A release specific to Southborough’s Beth Klein further details:
[Vincent Strully, President and CEO said, ]“Beth brings important professional and community insights to our Board and is a dynamo in fundraising and philanthropic activity.”
Mrs. Klein has chaired the annual Children of Promise Gala (www.necc.org/gala) Host Committee the past two years, helping the event reach new heights in fundraising, outreach, and style.
“I’m thrilled to join the Board of The New England Center for Children,” said Mrs. Klein, “and to collaborate with a brilliant and dedicated faculty and staff, those educating and caring directly for NECC’s more than 680 students. Together we strive to ensure that on the Southborough, MA campus and around the world, children with autism are given the tools they need to achieve their greatest potential. Given NECC’s graduate teaching program and Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia (ACE) software application, NECC receives well-deserved recognition among Massachusetts’ most important exports.” (read more)
