Award Recipients Speak on Immigration Reform, Community Ties and Gratitude
MAPS HONORS FIVE AT 15TH ANNUAL AWARDS GALA IN BOSTON

More than 360 MAPS supporters were present at the 15th Annual Awards Gala, the largest annual fundraiser for MAPS, a health and social service agency that has served the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts since 1970, with offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, Dorchester, Lowell and Framingham. Five individuals received awards for their extraordinary contributions to the community during the MAPS event. Some of those attending included Consul-General of Brazil Mario Ernani Saade; Consul-General of Cape Verde Maria de Jesus Mascarenhas; Consul-General of Portugal Manuela R. Bairos, Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, and many community leaders.

State Sen. Anthony Galluccio, D-Cambridge, received the Person of the Year Award. Virginia Simas of Somerville, a volunteer at St. Anthony’s Church in Cambridge, received the Mary & Manuel Rogers Lifetime Community Service Award. Celia Maciel of Holliston was awarded the Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award for her work in the Brazilian Women’s Group and Brazilian Independence Festival in Boston. Two community members, Dr. James Nolan of Newton, longtime medical practitioner at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and Aderito (Derick) Ramos Monteiro of Pawtucket, RI, Senior Case Manager at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, received the Jorge Fidalgo Community Service Award.
Major Gala supporters included Silver Sponsors Cambridge Health Alliance and NSTAR; and Bronze Sponsors Bank of America, Citizens Bank, CP Credit Union, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, Neighborhood Health Plan, and Riverside Management Group LLC/Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts. Media sponsors included Bate Papo Magazine, Bate Papo TV, Bisado.com, The Brazilian Journal, Brazilian Times, forCV.com, and O Jornal/Jornal Brasileiro.
Besides a banquet and awards ceremony, the MAPS Gala included a silent auction, a raffle, dancing and music by the Cape Verdean band Silva Rosa. During dinner, guests were entertained by the José Pienasola Trio, and Tchintcia Barros served as emcee. Raffle prizes awarded included a 42-inch Hitachi plasma TV; a romantic weekend for two including one night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel/Natick, brunch & spa treatment, courtesy of the Crowne Plaza and Profilo Salon & Spa; and a hybrid road bike. The Silent Auction featured a colorful assortment of gift baskets, art work, hand-crocheted gifts, sports memorabilia and other items, mostly donated by community members.
More information about MAPS and the Gala can be obtained at (617) 864-7600 or http://www.maps-inc.org.