Inaugural ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation Fall Gala draws 180 guests and 23 local sponsors
The fundraiser was held on Oct. 8 at the Century House in Acushnet.
MARION The inaugural Fall Gala to benefit the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation drew 180 guests and contributions from 23 local sponsors, and the funds raised will go toward grants for teachers and students in the Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55.
The fundraiser was held on Oct. 8 at the Century House in Acushnet. Funds from the event will help the foundation nearly double its giving impact for the next grant cycle, supporting experiential learning projects, specialized arts initiatives, science programs and other activities for students.
The evening showcased grant-funded projects and included hors d'oeuvres, drinks and live music from Eric Beau. Attendees took part in a silent auction featuring 25 donated items, ranging from local experiences to hand-crafted goods.
Guests heard directly from educators and students, including a group of ORR Student Ambassadors who wore ORR blazers purchased through a foundation grant.
"Since my very first grant back in 2018, I have been fortunate enough to receive support from TTEF totaling over $10,000," Laprise said. "Now, $10,000 is an impressive number on paper. But in the hands of our music teachers, $10,000 isn't just money. It is a catalyst. It is an engine for unforgettable and meaningful experiences."
Laprise said the district has been nationally recognized for four straight years as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. "It doesn't just happen because we have talented kids, though we certainly do. It happens because this entire community actively chooses to support and invest in music."
Early Education Coordinator Doreen Lopes, who chairs the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation, thanked everyone who contributed. "The end result is that students and educators will be able to have their dreams come true, allowing them to move forward with innovative, high-quality learning experiences."
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson thanked those who supported the gala and the foundation's mission. "We look forward to this becoming an annual tradition."
The foundation's mission is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of students and teachers through grants that benefit public education in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. Funding comes from private philanthropic donations.
Residents can learn more about the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation or make a contribution at oldrochester.org/district/orrttef.
Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.
Notes
Every fact comes from the town's own posted record, listed below, read Nov. 09. Every name, number, date and quote was checked against that record by script, and a second reading against the record removed anything it did not support. Not heard: no one was contacted.
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Sources (1)
- Old Rochester Regional and Superintendency Union 55 news: inaugural-orr-tri-town-education-foundation-fall-gala-draws-180-guests-23-local-sponsorsOld Rochester Regional and Superintendency Union 55 news. Read Nov. 9, 2026, 5:46 p.m.