Help Stephen raise money

Twenty-nine years ago, my wife Lynn was a Kindergarten Teacher.  She loved (and still loves) to come home from work and tell stories about her adventures with her kids (there’s always at least one “story-of-the-day”). Lynn would tell more and more stories about one particular student, Michael: stories about Michael’s laugh, about how Michael’s classmates loved and learned from him, and how Michael loved and learned from his classmates.

I was a lawyer-in-training – you know, painfully analytical. When I finally met Michael, I could not understand how a wheel-chair-bound kid, who couldn’t see, talk, or walk or even eat regular foods, could so profoundly inspire an entire class.

Lynn kept in contact with Michael’s Mom, Sharon. I heard the sad news of Michael’s passing and the exciting news about the opening of the Respite Center. Each year, we went to Michael’s Run in Hopkinton. Then, in 2006, through a friend, I heard that the Respite Center might be looking for new Board members.  Sharon and Mary and I talked. I wasn’t sure how I could contribute but with legal training and experience, and experience on other non-profit boards, I was hopeful that I could be of some help.

This year I am honored to be in my fourteenth year as a member of Board of Trustees at the Respite Center.

I am honored to be associated with the Respite Center, with Mary and Sharon and with the staff and, of course, with those who are served by the Respite Center. I keep coming back because I continue to be inspired by Michael’s story and all the people he touched. I keep coming back because I am hoping that some of that legacy of compassion, empathy, love and inclusiveness, may rub off on me.

Thank you wholeheartedly for your support of such amazing people and an amazing organization!

As can imagine, for many, many reasons, this year is particularly challenging for non-profits and especially for programs like the Respite Center. Our largest fundraiser, the Boston Marathon was cancelled last year.  Please help.