Communities United, Inc. (CUI), a non-profit organization that provides high-quality education and family services throughout eleven MetroWest cities and towns, announced today that its 5th annual gala fundraiser – ‘Back on Track: Funding our Children’s Futures’ – will take place virtually this year on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
The gala is free to attend and open to the public.Teachers and staff from CUI will be speaking on the daily challenges they face as they prepare to teach in the new age of COVID-19. WCVB-TV Channel 5, Boston’s news and community leader, serves as the exclusive media partner and News Center 5 Anchor Ed Harding will emcee. There will also be a special guest performance by Emmy Award-winning singer and songwriter Rachel Platten who will sing her hit, ‘Fight Song.’
During the approximately forty-five-minute-long virtual event, members of CUI will share with viewers the amazing and innovative ways they supported children and families such as sending home the book of week with activities each week and what life is like for their teachers and staff during this challenging time. They will also ask for donations to help purchase supplies suitable for maintaining social distancing guidelines that will keep the teachers and students safe and in class. Sponsorship opportunities for the virtual gala are still available as well.
“This year presents a different challenge for CUI with the many restrictions of COVID-19, but I am confident that our teachers and staff will make this school year our most effective one to date,” said Terri Natale, Executive Director at Communities United, Inc. “Our teachers rose to the challenge with innovative solutions when we had to close mid-March, and we want to equip them with the necessary funds and resources as they prepare for what will most likely be a challenging school year, as home distance learning will be the primary mode of education for nearly half of our children.”
Communities United, Inc. provides educational programs and family services to families within the local community. The team is made up of 80 employees including teachers, social workers and administrators.