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New Aquatic Center to be Named for Former Governor Michael Dukakis - June 20, 2008

The New England Center for Children (NECC®) announces that it will honor former Governor Michael S. Dukakis by naming the newly constructed aquatic center for children with autism on the school’s Southborough campus after him. NECC will formally open the “Michael S. Dukakis Aquatic Center,” the first building in Massachusetts to be named after the former Governor, with a Dedication Ceremony marking the occasion.

The Dedication Ceremony will take place at 33 Turnpike Road in Southborough, Massachusetts at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008. Governor Dukakis and his wife, Kitty, will be in attendance with more than 100 friends and supporters to mark this milestone occasion for Massachusetts and NECC.

Governor Dukakis’ leadership as Co-chair of the Capital Campaign for the Aquatic Center is testimony to his unwavering support and belief in the mission of The New England Center for Children. When NECC was founded nearly 33 years ago, Michael Dukakis was serving as the newly elected Governor. He believed that children with disabilities should not be confined in institutions, but should live in communities. His administration was instrumental during the mid 1980s in assisting NECC during the implementation of its community-based model of education for children with autism.

In 2006, Governor Dukakis accompanied Vincent Strully, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Founder of NECC, to Troy, Michigan to present NECC’s case for an Aquatic Center to The Kresge Foundation which resulted in a $450,000 Challenge Grant from the foundation. This gift, which has led to the receipt of more than $1,000,000 in additional donations, is attributed to the Governor’s direct involvement in this Campaign. Along with co-chair Thomas Hollister, CFO and COO of Global Partners, the Capital Campaign raised $5,500,000. It is through their leadership that the children of NECC can now “swim into a brighter future.”

To attend the Dedication Ceremony, please contact Michaela Suliman at 508-481-1015 x4037.

For directions and parking information please visit our directions page for this event.

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