Friends of SMEC (a.k.a. PSILL) is a 501 (c) (3) agency whose mission is to provide financial support to supplement the services provided to children and adults with disabilities. Friends of SMEC supports students and adults from New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Old Rochester, Marion, Fall River, Mattapoisett, Lakeville, and Freetown. I am a very proud supporter of this organization and hope that you will be also. Friends of SMEC (PSILL) was originally formed to help individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently as adults. They now support the students and consumers of all of the SMEC programs. The Friends’ Board of Directors, consisting mainly of parents of our students and consumers, meets regularly, hosts informative speakers, and organizes fundraisers throughout the year. They use the funds raised to assist SMEC’s students and adults in significant ways, such as offering interest free loans to students/consumers moving into independent living situations, providing tickets and transportation expenses for work and community activities, paying for chaperones to accompany our young adults on trips, funding field trips and classroom equipment and so much more. Due to the current financial climate, many of the items and activities that they fund would not be available otherwise. Friends of SMEC is hosting the 26th annual Benefit Dance on Friday, 4/28/2023 at Kilburn Mill. This fundraiser is the agency’s biggest of the year and will also include a silent auction/drawing for various prizes. The Friends of SMEC would be very grateful if you could contribute a gift or gift card to be included in the drawings and/or auction. All donors will be included in the evening’s printed program. They are also selling ads for the Dance Program. You can purchase more than one ad if you choose. Ads may be for businesses or to send a personal message to a loved one. Please indicate the size of ad you wish to purchase and send a copy of your ad or business card along with the donation.The ads will be $25 for 1/4 page, $50 for a half- page and $100 for a full-page advertisement. We have also added a $200 Table Sponsor option. Your logo will be featured as a Table Sponsor at the Gala and you will also be included in the ad program book. For questions about the dance, contributing a gift, making a donation or placing an ad, or to volunteer to be part of the Friends of SMEC, please contact Sherri Tetrault, at (508) 717-1932. All of the funds raised will go directly to support the activities of SMEC’s students and individuals. There are no administrative overhead costs or salaries paid with this money as all of the people associated with the Friends of SMEC are volunteers. Tickets for the dance will be available shortly and we hope you will all attend. On behalf of the Collaborative and the Friends of SMEC, we appreciate your consideration. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting the agency and showing pride in our wonderful children and consumers. Sincerely, Sherri Tetrault | 501c3 #31-1612034