Celebrate with us!

Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers, vendors, support staff,
and guests who made our 20th Anniversary Gala
on October 17th a tremendous success!

See photos here, video below.

Read our blog for text of the remarks by Robert and Jenn Meeropol.

And check out our Recent Press Coverage page for links
to the fantastic media coverage about the Gala.

Welcome and Intro by Bob Winston,
Chair of the RFC Board of Directors

Remarks by

Robert Meeropol

Ray Levasseur (part 1)

Ray Levasseur (part 2)

and

Jenn Meeropol

Music by Evelyn Harris

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Gala Photos

Northampton Center for the Arts Ballroom

Northampton Center for the Arts entrance

A Better Place for Children

Website press coverage page

Ejournal greetings

Website gala page

Gathering displays

Amassing supplies

Getting ready to set the lights

Hanging the cables

Checking the sound

Prepping the screen for the e-journal

Putting up the list of Board members

Board member Emily and her mom, creating displays

Rafael, long-time (and tireless) Board member, helping set up

Newest RFC staff member, Julie, with the littlest RFC supporter

The room starts to take shape...

Where does that go? Let me check the floorplan

Board member Rose, decorating the tables

We had lots of help from Board members and volunteers

Sponsor seating

General admission section

Perusing the RFC literature

Guests arriving en masse

Nina (Board) and Julie (staff) handling ticket sales at the entrance

Activist-in-training and her dad

The Apollo Grill put on a fabulous buffet

Rosenberg to Rosenberg

Lots to talk about

Checking out the program

Power trio: the Senator, the Executive Director, and the Board Chair

Lots of old friends in attendance

Apollo Grill ran the bar, too

Enjoying the social hour

Board member, Emily

Having a chat during the social hour

Activist and politicians have a lot to talk about

Chef Casey Douglass schmoozes with the guests

Lots of former Board members attended: here, Lydia (left) and Jon (right) with original (and still current) Board member, Elli

Teresa, former RFC intern and niece of an RFC Board member, with her mom

Looking over info, waiting for the program to start

Board member Rose

Jane Miller, RFC Financial Coordinator since Day One

The RFC's financial brain-trust: talking shop?

Board member José

The room begins to fill up

A light moment during the social hour

We were lucky to be surrounded by folks who have been our friends for decades

The RFC probably wouldn't exist without the advice Robert got from these guests who flew in from Oakland, CA just to celebrate with us

"Carry it Forward and Pass it On: The RFC at 20"

Long-time RFC supporters

Board member David

Former Board member Andrea, with the loving father who (along with his wife) established the RFC's "Ozzy Klate Memorial Fund"

Amber Black, Public Relations and Technology Coordinator, with the guest with the shortest commute

Jenn Meeropol, Grantmaking Coordinator and future Exec. Director

The Apollo Grill staff were terrific!

Getting ready for the program to begin

Guests spanned several generations

The wife (left) of the featured speaker and Board member Bruce in the background

Board Chair, Bob (right) with a sharp-dressed supporter

Two former Board members (Andrea, left, and Betsy, far right) with other stalwart local activists

They sure seem happy to be there

The drinks table gets a little assistant

One of the youngest guests

Father-daughter team in the kitchen, too

The supporters in the background traveled all the way from Rhode Island to join us

A laugh between old friends

Several teenagers helped out as volunteers

Long-time supporters of Ray and other political prisoners

Bob, Board Chair for all of the RFC's 20 years

Ray sporting a "Vietnam Veterans Against the War" t-shirt

No one has been more involved in the RFC's 20 years than Elli (right)

Social hour wraps up

A younger generation of activists attended, too

Evelyn Harris opens the program with "Would you harbor me?"

"Would you harbor a runaway woman or child, a poet, a prophet a king? A fugitive, or a slave?"

"Would you harbor a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, a heretic, convict or spy?"

Learning what happened to the Ohio 7's children gave Robert the idea for the RFC.

An appreciative crowd

Hooray for 20 years!

20 years and 5 days since the kick-off concert at Smith College

"The RFC was my idea, but it's been a collective effort involving thousands."

"I take great satisfaction in helping our beneficiaries and identify so strongly with our community"

"Why do those at risk have children? Children are the seeds of hope."

"Children are an affirmation of life."

"War and prison are the most defining experiences of my life"

"In my 20's, I wasn't thinking about having children- my commitment and energy went into political activism."

"When I held my daughter for the first time, I couldn't let go."

"I couldn't be there for my children." - featured speaker Raymond Luc Levasseur

20 years after leaving the Valley in handcuffs, Ray returns to a standing ovation

"To know that there are people in the community that will provide support for children like ours, is immeasurable."

"I'm proud of the organization my father has created from the pain he experienced as a child."

"I'm grateful to be part of a community of people committed to supporting today's activist families"

"Family is about much more than biology."

Jenn talks about the "family values" she and the RFC endorse

"With profound thanks for 20 years of leadership"

Father and daughter, enjoying the moment

Hugs all around

Elli created beautiful collages of images from the RFC's first two decades

A special, surprise presentation for Robert and Bob, from the Board and Staff

Time for thank-you's

"Ain't Gonna' Let Nobody Turn Me Around" had everyone singing along

Evelyn Harris capped the night with "Daughters and Sons" by Tommy Sands

"You sowed the seeds of freedom in your daughters & your sons"

"And tho' your body's bent & low, a victory you've won"

"For you sowed the seeds of justice in your daughters and your sons"

"You sowed the seeds of equality in your daughters and your sons"

"You sowed the seeds of peace in your daughters and your sons"

This trio has been the bedrock of the RFC from the beginning

Original (and current) Board member Bill

Displays of RFC events spanning two decades

Lots of familiar faces from local activist circles

Board member, Rafael, with niece and sister

Wife of the Board Chair and volunteer at this and MANY other RFC events

Deep in discussion

More socializing after the program

A legend in local activist circles- she's 91 and going strong (and voting Green!)

The Gala's youngest guest was also one of its most popular

The end of a memorable evening

Thanks for coming, everyone!

At 95, the guest on the right has been a supporter of social justice for longer than most of the other guests have been alive.

The guest on the left also knows how to run social justice-oriented foundations, having started several of her own

Sen. Stan Rosenberg presents the official MA Senate Citation "in recognition of the joyous celebration of your 20th anniversary"

"The Massachusetts Senate extends best wishes for continued success"

Getting a closer look at the Senate citation, proudly on display

Talking to the media

An interview with the local news

Heading out after a great evening

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"Thank you for the grant you gave me. I hate that my father is in prison, but I'm glad there's an organization like you who not only understands, but goes even further to help."

-RFC beneficiary