Northeast Arc Evening of Changing Lives Gala Set For Encore Casino

DANVERS, MA — Northeast Arc will honor Eastern Bank Foundation President and CEO Nancy Huntington Stager at its annual Evening of Changing Lives event on May 12 at Encore Boston Harbor.

Stager will be presented with this year's Changing Lives Award.

"I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of this year’s Changing Lives Award," Stager said. "It is a thrill to be involved in such a high-energy, fun event. Enjoyment and excitement aside, the reason we need people and businesses to support the mission of the Northeast Arc is to change lives.

"Northeast Arc does that every day by empowering individuals to not only be in the community but of the community."

The nonprofit organization that helps North Shore children and adults who have or are at risk of d3veloping disabilities become full participants in the community will host the event at the Encore's South Lawn, which features an inclusive fashion show where Arc-supported individuals are partnered with local celebrities and business executives to highlight their abilities.

"Nancy and her team at the Eastern Bank Foundation have been steadfast supporters of the Northeast Arc," Northeast Arc President and CEO Ann Simons said. "However, Nancy's impact extends far beyond our agency, which is why we are so thrilled to honor her with the Changing Lives Award.

"Nancy is an advocate for civil rights, economic justice, and inclusion in communities across New England. She is also a champion for innovative approaches to supporting marginalized communities with a focus on equity."

"Baystate Business on Bloomberg" radio co-host Kim Carrigan, a longtime Northeast Arc advocate, will emcee the evening.

Fashion show participants include Jenny Holaday, President of Encore Boston Harbor and Honorary Fashion Show Chair, Lauren Baker, First Lady of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, James White, New England Patriots running back, Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, RoAnn Costin, President of Wilderness Point Investments, LLC and Northeast Arc Advisory Board Member, Heidi Ellard, Northeast Arc Board Vice-Chair, Becca Kraft, musician and Northeast Arc team member, Josh Kraft of the Kraft Family Foundation, Jim Palleschi of HUB International New England, and other surprise guests.

Eastern Bank Foundation, Encore Boston Harbor, and PLAN of Massachusetts and Rhode Island are lead sponsors of the event.

Tickets and additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Kacy Jauron at KJauron@ne-arc.org.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)