Faces of Penikese graduate attendees (L to R): Anthony Wilson, Mike Duffy (with son Carter), Shawn Campbell (behind Toby), Howie Levine, Glynn John, and DeAndre West in front. Not pictured: Ben Gavin.
On Saturday August 21, 2010, Penikese held its 37th anniversary celebration. Titled Faces of Penikese, the event drew 400 attendees taken from all corners of Penikese Nation: current and former staff, graduates and parents of graduates, and donors, supporters and believers of every stripe. Notable among those present included founding director George Cadwalader, several school graduates and two alumni parents who were gracious (and brave) enough to share words of thanks for the school and to its supporters. Soon after followed a rousing live auction and then, with the evening’s work completed, the partygoers took to the dance floor to close out the event with a celebratory bang. At this early post-event stage we do not yet have final numbers in, but we are certain to have made our marks in fundraising, merriment and spiritual and mission rejuvenation. By way of thank you we have reprinted below an except from Faces of Penikese program booklet introduction:
A Salute to Penikese Nation
On behalf of everyone, I extend our deepest appreciation to our gracious and ever-modest Penzance Point hosts, event chairs Bill and Karen Reaman, and to the many dedicated staff and volunteers who helped prepare for this big day.
For all the work they entail, gala events are essential to Penikese’s strength and success, and not just for the mission funds they raise. Such occasions provide a fun respite from the arduous mission work, and help recharge and rejuvenate our spirits, perspective and energy with fresh wind in our sails to carry on another year.
Then there is this: Penikese is a far-flung operation, based in Woods Hole but operating on an island 12 miles offshore and in communities spread throughout the Commonwealth, and its donors and supporters come from all across the country. These events are the only opportunity we have to bring everyone involved with Penikese together at one time and under one actual tent.
Right now standing alongside and among you are representatives from all across Penikese nation: Board members, volunteers, island staff, management, donors, purchasers and vendors, even our boat captain. And in keeping with this event’s theme, tonight we also have in attendance several Penikese graduates and student parents, living examples of the work every one of us makes possible.
We hope that you will find a chance tonight to speak with your fellow attendees and event neighbors, to share just what it is that Penikese means to each of you, and to thank each other for being a part of this remarkable extended community singularly devoted to the purpose of saving castaway boys.
You are the faces of Penikese!
