For Cushing students, a magical
trip awaits
By Robert Knox
Globe Correspondent
/
March 9, 2008
The "Trip of a Lifetime" to
Disney World is a signature
event for the Cardinal Cushing
Centers and a rite of passage
for its graduating students, who
anticipate their big trip for
years.
"We have 15-year-olds who are
already looking forward to going
to Disney World," said Patty
Allo, director of development
for the school, which provides
provide academic and residential
programs for students with mild
to severe developmental
disabilities at campuses in
Hanover and Braintree.
Graduating students get to go to
Disney World at age 22, when
they age out of the school.
The Cardinal Cushing Centers
will raise money for this year's
trip at Saturday's St. Patrick's
Day dinner and auction at the
Indian Pond Country Club in
Kingston. The fund-raising
dinner was revived last year,
following a long hiatus, when
funds from the trip's original
sponsor, Abington Savings Bank,
ran out.
New this year, the school will
screen a video taken of the
students on last year's trip.
Also a first, the school's
student percussion team will
provide entertainment. The team
consists of eight boys who
perform a precision act using
drumsticks on various
instruments.
Orchestrated by auctioneer Jim
Fagan, the event's live auction
features getaways to Marco
Island, New Hampshire (Balsams
Grand Resort Hotel and the Grand
Summit Hotel), and the Braintree
Sheraton. Other items include a
luxury suite at a Brockton Rox
game, and four tickets to a
Patriots game.
About 400 people attended last
year's event, helping the school
exceed its goal of $50,000 by
raising a $80,135. The extra
money went toward buying school
rings for the 23 graduating
students.
This year's goal is to match or
exceed that figure to cover trip
expenses and buy rings for 17
students.
South Shore Savings Bank is the
main sponsor. The bank is also a
Pot of Gold donor, donating
$5,000, along with three big
donors. The event has also
garnered six Leprechaun Club
donors at $2,500 each, and 10
Shamrock Club donors at $1,000.
Tickets are $75 a person. For
more information on tickets and
sponsorships call Allo at
781-829-1272 or e-mail her at
pallo@coletta.org.
For some students leaving
Cardinal Cushing Centers this
year, the Disney World visit is
literally the trip of a
lifetime, Allo said.
"The community has given this
gift for the last 13 years,"
Allo said. "These students work
exceptionally hard to reach
graduation. They overcome
obstacles."
For those who don't have
families, "going on a big trip
with classmates and people they
know and feel safe with will
probably never happen again,"
she said.
Student Kara Gissinger is
looking forward to visiting
Disney World's Cinderella Castle
and meeting Mickey Mouse,
according to her trip chaperone,
Carol vanGervan. The school
provides an adult chaperone for
each student, along with a
lifeguard and nurse. "The
swimming pool will be a favorite
hangout too," vanGervan said.
Lyndsey Boyd, a "quiet young
lady with a great sense of
humor," according to chaperone
Andrea Lundquist, is looking
forward to water rides, having
her picture taken with Eeyore
and Piglet and "indulging in a
Ghirardelli chocolate sundae."
Michael Perkins plans to set a
fast pace at Disney World,
according to chaperone Derek
Freitas. "Michael has made a vow
to ride every ride in Disney at
least once," Freitas said, "and
I for one believe him."
Robert Knox can be contacted at
rc.knox@gmail.com.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper
Company.
