Gala raises $40,000 for Futures Foundation

Kensington Church received the Heart of MORC Award for its longtime volunteer service and generosity to the people served by the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. Kensington representatives Emilee Skinner (far left) and Margaret Humenik (far right) accepted the award October 9 at the 17^th Annual “Giving Back To The Futures” Gala, held at the San Marino Club in Troy, from Futures Foundation Interim Director Lindsay Calcatera (middle left) and MORC Executive Director Gerald R. Provencal (middle right).

 

By JERRY WOLFFE

 

TROY – Nearly $40,000 was raised by the Futures Foundation for individuals with disabilities served by the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center at the 17^th Annual “Giving Back To The Futures” Gala.

The gala was held Oct. 9 at the San Marino Club in Troy. Some 350 attendees at the annual event enjoyed dinner, live entertainment and dancing, participation in a silent auction, and raffle drawings for prizes.

The gala is the premier annual fall event for The Futures Foundation, the fundraising arm of MORC. Along with other year-round efforts, the event generates resources to provide for the needs of people with developmental disabilities.

“It was a joy filled evening,” said Jerry Provencal, MORC’s Executive Director, who plans to retire next spring after having served 50 years in the mental health field.

“From the opening strains of the jazz quartet to the announcement of the silent auction winners, it was a fun, exciting event. The video presentation was inspiring and reminded everyone of why we were there – to help realize the needs and dreams of the people we serve at MORC.”

Live music was provided by the RJ Spangler Jazz Quartet during the cocktail hour and by the Pulse band after dinner. The silent auction offered more than 60 items such as restaurant gift cards, art, electronics, outdoor/home accessories, and casino/hotel getaways.

This year’s Presenting Sponsor was Netsmart, and other major sponsors included PVS Chemicals, Nancy Tancredi, Fifth Third Bank, Gerald Provencal, Afia, New Horizons, Jewish Vocational Services, JS Clark Agency, Plante Moran, RX Specialties, and the MORC Holding Company Board of Directors.

“We couldn’t have had such an outstanding event without the critical, generous support from all of our sponsors,” said Lindsay Calcatera, Interim Futures Foundation Director.

The annual Heart of MORC Award, for exemplary service, was given to Kensington Church.

With the backing of donors and community partners, the Futures Foundation awarded over $100,000 in grants in 2014 to help fund a better quality of life for those served by MORC.

Jerry Wolffe is the writer-in-residence, advocate-at-large at MORC. He can be reached at (586) 263-8950.