Schools

Perkins Welcomed Local Residents, Business Owners at Event Celebrating 100 Years in Town

The event raised money for the school, and celebrated Perkins' 100 years in Watertown.

The following information was provided by Perkins School for the Blind:

The Perkins School for the Blind held the first event dedicated to local individuals and business owners as part of the celebration of the school's 100th year in Watertown. 

Belmont and Watertown residents and business owners gathered in June at Perkins School for the Blind’s new Grousbeck Center for Students and Technology, to raise awareness for the school.

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This group of about 70 friends – mostly from Watertown and Belmont – was brought together by two fabulous co-hosts of the event, Sonia V. Boyajian, President of Real Estate 109 in Belmont, and Mona Jomaa, parent of a Perkins student and Watertown resident.

The evening included a raffle of prizes from all local businesses, a student-run station featuring brailled name cards, and superb catering by Vicki Lee Boyajian.

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Jan Ankerson was the “cigarette lady” who sold raffle tickets, which were then deposited into a selection of about 15 buckets, each representing a local business that had donated gift cards.

The evening was a FRIENDraiser, free of charge, meant to engage local residents and business owners with Perkins and bring them to campus, according to Stephanie Marvel, campaign officer with Perkins.

"We had two Perkins students at a station typing guests names using the Perkins Brailler. Although we didn’t charge for the event, almost every guest made a gift to Perkins before they left," Marvel said.


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