Rui, Charlie and Dennis, coached by Jen Morin of amplifi, right, entertained guests at Spring Forward with CLASS, an annual fundraiser for the human services agency that raised $85,000 this year. The slide show at right shows Jannel, an individual supported in CLASS’s TREE program, painting a birdhouse, which went up for auction that night.
More than 150 people came together at the Spring Forward with CLASS fundraising event in April to support the human services agency and the work they do for adults with disabilities and autism, helping to raise $85,000 – the biggest event contribution total in the human service agency’s 43-year history.
“We are grateful to all of our sponsors, guests and auction bidders, the supporters who make our work possible, for stepping up and making this fundraiser a success,” said Alfred J. Frugoli, president of CLASS. “Our donors have made it possible for individuals we support to experience community inclusion activities; to develop active, meaningful engagement in their communities; and, especially, to learn and practice self-advocacy.”
The singing performance of Rui, Charlie and Dennis hit the high note for the evening, drawing a standing ovation from guests. Music teachers Jen Morin and Alan Bailey of amplifi, a music program for adults with disabilities at Real School of Music in Andover, have worked with more than a dozen individuals from CLASS on their singing, composing and stage presence for more than three years. An exhibit of CLASS’s handloom weaving enterprise and a painting demonstration were additional living stories that informed and inspired guests – thanks to community collaborators Social Catalysts Charitable Foundation and Essex Art Center.
“Guests were touched, so they were very active in bidding in our auctions because they wanted to show their support,” said Tracey Chalifour, director of Development at CLASS. “In the live auction, to satisfy our bidders, we doubled and tripled some packages, such as the North Conway four-day weekend and the City Slicker weekend in Boston, which included a two-night stay at the XV Beacon Hotel in Boston with dinners at Prezza and Mastro’s Ocean Club.
“We have members on our Board of Directors who are very involved in this event and who made this fundraiser so successful, and we’re very grateful to them,” she added.