From the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Feb. 22, 2016: Plans are underway for the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers 2016 Awards Gala, a black-tie-optional event taking place April 9 at the Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel in Cambridge. It will feature a red carpet arrival, cocktail reception, banquet, awards ceremony honoring distinguished community members, silent auction, entertainment, raffle and much more.

Gala sponsorship as well as advertising opportunities program book and community directory are still available by calling (617) 864-7600 or visiting maps-inc.org. The same contacts can be used to reserve gala seating at $100 per person, which supports all organization programs and services.

The private, nonprofit organization’s annual fundraiser once again has the support and endorsement of national and local leaders through its Gala Honorary Committee, including: U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren; state Attorney General Maura Healey; state Sens. Sonia Chang-Diaz, Sal DiDomenico, Eileen Donoghue, James Eldridge and Karen Spilka; state Reps. Evandro Carvalho and Tim Toomey; Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone; Consul General of Portugal José Velêz Caroço; Consul General of Cabo Verde Pedro Graciano Carvalho; Consul General of Brazil Glivânia Maria de Oliveira; Dinart Serpa, president of the Apres Management Group; Mark Cafua, chief executive of the Cafua Management Group; Duarte Carvalho, chief executive, president and principal of the Riverside Management Group, as well as Arthur Rodrigues, its chief operating officer and another principal; Sal Couto, chief executive of the Couto Management Group; Rui Doingos, chief executive of Naveo Credit Union; Paul Ferreira, chief executive of Cambridge Printing; Gilda Nogueira, president and chief executive of East Cambridge Savings Bank; Robert Rivers, president, chief operating officer and vice chairman of Eastern Bank; and representatives of the families who lend their names to the MAPS Gala Awards – Cissy Coutinho, Ana Fidalgo, Álvaro Lima and Manuel Rogers Jr.

The MAPS 2016 Awards Gala is sponsored by major companies and organizations, including both longtime supporters and new partners. The presenting diamond-level sponsors this year are the four Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners – the Apres, Cafua, Couto and Riverside management groups; the new platinum-level sponsor is the Tufts Health Plan; and gold-level sponsors include the Cambridge Health Alliance and Naveo Credit Union. The silver-level sponsor is East Cambridge Savings Bank, and bronze-level sponsors include Accutronics, Neighborhood Health Plan, S&F Concrete Contractors and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (Steward).

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors and supporters, without whom it would be impossible for us to put together this wonderful yearly event honoring five outstanding members of our communities, and we’d like to invite our community to attend this year’s edition of the MAPS Awards Gala,” said Paulo Pinto, the organization’s executive director.

MAPS provides cultural and linguistically competent services for Portuguese-speaking communities and other Massachusetts residents with the support of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and many other private and public funders. The organization has offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Brighton, Dorchester, Lowell and Framingham. For information, call (617) 864-7600 or click here.