EVERETT — City councilor-at-large and owner of Treadwell’s Ice Cream Tom Gould was honored with the Northeast Arc Changing Lives Award at a reception in Encore Boston Harbor Tuesday night.
Also presented with the Changing Lives Award was the owner of Concept Capital, Julie Rainer Cummings of Marblehead, a member of the Northeast Arc Board of Directors for 19 years.
Gould, who has been on the board of directors since 2019, was awarded for his work to strengthen the inclusivity of his hometown, Peabody, through his Challenger Sports program.
For decades, Gould has organized basketball open gyms and baseball games so children with intellectual, developmental, or physical abilities can participate in modified sports with their peers.
“We estimate that we have supported over 600 Challenger athletes who have participated in our programs,” Gould said. “I feel lucky to be in the same room [tonight] with so many generous people.”
Mayor Ted Bettencourt presented the award to Gould in front of the over 400 people in attendance, including Sen. Joan Lovely and Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Robbie Goldstein.
“Tom Gould has a giant heart and has long been a true champion of creating inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities,” Bettencourt said. “Tom’s relentless dedication to athletes of all abilities and his lifetime of service to Peabody and surrounding areas have changed countless lives over the years.”
Gould was also gifted a painting by ArcWorks Community Art Center artist Mike Butler, which depicted the Treadwall’s Ice Cream shop.
Presenting Rainer Cummings with her Changing Lives Award was Northeast Arc President and CEO Jo Ann Simons.
“Julie has been a fierce sibling advocate, a constant presence and friend to everyone at Lisa’s residential homes, and a dedicated board member of the Northeast Arc for over 20 years,” Simons said. “Julie and her husband Jim Cummings have made NeArc a priority in their giving as well, establishing the Lisa Rainer Enrichment Fund, which supports our staff in so many ways, as well as being members of our 2054 Society.”
Rainer Cummins, whose late sister Lisa Rainer lived in a Northeast Arc residential for over 40 years, spoke to the difference the organization has made for her and her family.
“Together as a family, we’ve experienced so much personal growth; this work shaped us all in ways I could have never imagined,” she said. “The leadership and advocacy of the Arc gave us great faith, knowing that Lisa would always have a beautiful home, meaningful employment, and her social needs met, thanks to the agency’s unwavering support.”
To end the night, individuals and families supported by Northeast Arc walked the runway with local public figures, including Lovely, Boston Encore Harbor CEO Jenny Holaday, and Founder of the Lynn Disability Network Louise Dominique, during an inclusive fashion show.
Closing out the fun was former New England Patriot and two-time Super Bowl Champion Dan Koppen, who tossed footballs to people in the crowd.
With the help of donors and attendees, the gala raised $500,000, which went towards helping Northeast Arc serve 10,000 people in nearly 200 Massachusetts cities and towns.
