Each year, The Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf hosts the Spring Soiree Benefit Auction. This event, now in its 21st year, is a time to bring friends, families, donors, and potential donors together to learn more about the school and raise funds to benefit the programs at our school. Many people who attend have not had the chance to visit the school themselves, so the Soiree is a unique opportunity for people to get a glimpse of what goes on at CCCBSD every day. Jane McNally, Director of Development, coordinates the Soiree and describes the event as “a way to raise funds for the school, to tell the story of the school, and to give people a chance to have some social time.” Throughout the years, the number of guests has steadily grown. Last year, over two hundred attended, and Jane hopes that this year will bring in even more.

This year’s theme is “Transitions,” inspired by our transition program for students 14 years and older. When asked about CCCBSD’s transition students, Jane enthused, “We’re excited to highlight the transition students this year! They are going on incredible field trips, becoming more independent, and really getting out there.  I am just in awe of what a great job they’re doing to show that there are no barriers, and I’m so proud of them!” As many of the school’s students in the transition program are learning new skills, working in off-campus jobs, and growing, the 2019 Soiree focuses on their accomplishments and hard work.

In 2018, the theme of the Soiree was “Family Stories.” Families were asked to come forward and share their personal experiences. The stories were recorded podcast-style as audio clips and then overlaid on a collage of photos of the families. The goal was to honor the hard work of many CCCBSD families and showcase their lives. To watch these Family Stories, please click here.

Anyone who plans to attend the 2019 Annual Soiree Benefit Auction should expect an amazing night. After check in, guests will enter a large room where they can socialize, relax, and browse through the silent auction items, participate in the raffle, or purchase note cards. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available during this time. Once the silent auction portion of the night is finished, everyone will enter the dining room where CCCBSD’s Executive Director, Dr. Mark Carlson, will introduce the live auctioneer and begin the live auction. Dinner will be served, videos shown, The Joanie Vaughan Ingraham award will be presented, and a final fundraising opportunity for the school’s Parent Infant/Toddler Program will close the night.

The CCCBSD community is looking forward to another successful Annual Spring Soiree Benefit Auction. Individuals who have been associated with CCCBSD for years, as well as newer supporters, will walk away having learned something new about the school. For more information about the Soiree, to become a sponsor or advertiser, or to purchase tickets, please visit: https://cccbsd.org/news-events/annual-soiree-benefit/.