To mark 40 years of helping the developmentally disabled lead productive, happy and fulfilling lives, the Walnut Street Center will hold its first annual gala on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Somerville Armory. The gala will honor the pioneering figures from the organization’s past while reaffirming its commitment to the future.

Often referred to as “Somerville’s best kept secret”, the Walnut Street Center has played an important role in transforming the way that developmentally disabled individuals are treated by giving parents and state agencies an option other than institutionalization.

“Prior to the founding of programs like the Walnut Street Center, parents were simply told to put their children with these conditions away,” says Joe Churchill, Executive Director of the Walnut Street Center. “Our founding parents, many of whom are still involved with the organization refused to accept this as an answer. The goal of our gala is to honor them while pledging to continue their legacy into the future.”

To help plan the gala the Walnut Street Center has formed an advisory committee, comprised of local figures and others involved with the organization. They are:

Eugene Brune, Former Mayor of Somerville and current Register of Deeds
Irene Bremis, Bremis Realty
Alex Capobianco, Detective with the Somerville Police Department
Rui F. Domingos, CEO of CPCU Credit Union
George McLean, former Chief of Police
Nicholas A. Iannuzzi Jr, Attorney, Orsi Arone Rothenberg
Jack Connolly of Connolly Insurance, and Alderman-at-large for Somerville
Denise Jillson, Executive Director of the Harvard Square Business Association
Sandra McGoldrick, President of the Winter Hill Bank
William Tauro, Publisher, Somerville/Boston News Group
Ray Zonghetti, Dining & Nightlife Chair, Somerville Chamber of Commerce
Jim McSweeney, President, CIP Group
John Mahoney, President, Walnut Street Center Board of Directors
Joe Churchill, Executive Director, Walnut Street Center
Craig Orsi, Member, Walnut Street Center Board of Directors
Nancy Bushnack, Bushnack Associates
Emma Taddeo, Events Coordinator, Walnut Street Center

The gala will feature food donated by local Somerville restaurants, a silent auction, door prizes, a cash bar, tributes to the founding parents and friends of the Walnut Street Center and a vision for the organization’s future. More information will be released in the coming months.