Submitted by SYFS Gala Committee
Shrewsbury – Lately, change has been a consistent theme at Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services (SYFS). In June, the agency welcomed a new executive director, Terry Cassidy, and on Saturday, March 15, 2014, it will host a newly formatted gala at St. John's High School.
This year marks the gala's 10th anniversary, and the organizing committee plans to put the “FUN” in “FUNDraiser.” Highlights of the evening will include an elegant Celtic-inspired dinner prepared by Struck Catering, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and a late evening coffee and dessert bar. Sachs Jewelers is creating an original piece of emerald and diamond jewelry for a drawing at the gala. The evening offers SYFS an opportunity to thank the community for generously supporting its mission “to enhance the quality of life for the Shrewsbury community by working collaboratively to provide counseling, education and social services.” To date, Wheelabrator and Hairlines-Paul Mitchell have signed on as Platinum sponsors.
This year's Harry S. Cutting Jr. Award will be presented to long-time SYFS supporter, Central One Federal Credit Union. Central One has been exceptionally generous to the agency over the years, supporting programs that directly impact the quality of life for people of all ages in Shrewsbury. Established in 1990, the Cutting Award honors an agency co-founder and noted philanthropist, Harry S. Cutting Jr. Past recipients include the Irving J. Donahue family, Edwin B. (Ted) Coghlin and Robert Jacques.
The gala this year will be less award dinner and more of an opportunity for people to socialize and enjoy good food and music, all to benefit SYFS.
From people unfamiliar with the work of SYFS, we often hear the question: “Who is SYFS?”
The answer – SYFS is all of us – the unemployed father, the teen mom, the victim of a bully, the child who has lost a parent, the elderly shut-in, the clinician, the volunteer, the donor ??” in short, we are all SYFS and we all contribute to the agency's fabric. Proceeds from the gala account for almost half of the agency's annual revenue.? The event's success ensures the development of new programs, like the newly launched youth bereavement group, and the sustainability of current services. This is a community event that will raise much-needed resources while building awareness. Come join in the fun!
For more information about the gala and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.syfs-ma.org, like us on Facebook, or contact? Jim Heald at 508-612-5836? or [email protected] or Amy Kotsopoulos at 508-789-3151 or [email protected]. For information on SYFS, contact Terry Cassidy, executive director, at 508-845-6932, email [email protected].
Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit community social service agency that provides professional support and social services to children, parents and individuals in times of need, regardless of their ability to pay.