The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is inviting community members interested in attending the organization’s upcoming 50+1 Anniversary Gala to reserve their seats by Friday, October 1, 2021. The special celebration will take place on October 9, 2021, at the Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel and will follow the latest COVID-19 safety guidelines put in place by the City of Cambridge requiring the use of masks in indoor public spaces.

The health and social services organization is still seeking additional support from potential Program Book advertisers and auction donors. Those interested in supporting MAPS’ 50+1 Anniversary fundraiser are encouraged to contact Andrew Carten, Development Manager, at acarten@maps-inc.org or by calling (617) 864-7600, or download the advertisement forms at www.maps-inc.org/gala2021. Reservations can also be made online or by telephone at the contacts listed above.

Following the City of Cambridge’s September 3 COVID-19 Emergency Order, all MAPS 50+1 Anniversary Gala guests are required to wear a face mask any time they are not actively eating or drinking, and on the dance floor during the after-party.

The black-tie event features a red-carpet reception and cocktail hour, an online Silent Auction, and musical performances by Marcus Santos and Grooversity, and singer Sonia Bettencourt. DJ Adilson will be in charge of the music during dinner and the after-party.

“While it may be challenging to have to wear face coverings at our Gala, our priority is making sure that our guests have a safe and wonderful time,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “We encourage all of our friends and supporters to join our wonderful 50+1 Anniversary celebration this October 9 and wear their most stylish face masks.”

After several postponements, the health and social services organization is eager to celebrate its more than half-century of service to the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts and honor the “Builders of MAPS”, a group of more than 80 people who were instrumental in the creation, development, and expansion of the health and social services nonprofit organization over the past 50 years.

For the 1970s, MAPS will highlight its start as two organizations – the Cambridge Organization of Portuguese Americans (COPA), founded in 1970, and the Somerville Portuguese American League (SPAL), created in 1973. The honorees include Manuel Amaral (deceased); Jose Bairos; Duarte Carvalho; José Chaves (deceased); Dorothea Clinton (deceased); Josh Coburn; Maria Angelina Costa; Victor Do Couto; Tony de Castro; Hermano de Mello; John Feitor (deceased); Zelia Pacheco Kelleher; Fernando Lopes (deceased); José Luis (Mr. COPA) (deceased); Maria Manuel Moreira; Albert Pacheco; Carmen Pacheco-Medeiros; Robert (Bob) Perry; Rosa-Maria Cardoso Pinto; Mary Roderick (deceased); Manny Rogers; Margaret C. Serpa; Valadão Serpa; Aurélio Torres; Maria Torres; Cambridge Mayor Alfred Vellucci (deceased); and Caetano S. Vital.

To remember the 1980s, MAPS will honor the impactful contributions of Albano Ponte; António Cardoso; António Couto (deceased); Belmira Cordeiro; Manuel Coutinho (deceased); António Fontes (deceased); Mario Furtado (deceased); Mary Ghioni; Luisa Gonçalves (deceased); João Soares; and Julia Story.

The 1990s marks the official merger of COPA and SPAL to create MAPS, and the expansion into Lowell. The organization will honor Adir Baldelim; Jorge Cardoso; Victor Do Couto; John Dreyer; Mary Ann Lomba; Adélia Furtado Lopes (deceased); Célia Maciel; Glenn Mello; Lucieny Passamani; Luís Pedroso; Stephen Pereira; Elisia and Mark Saab; and Ligia Taylor (deceased).

For the 2000s, MAPS will honor Michael Coelho; Carlos A. F. da Silva; Norberto Felix; Alvaro Lima; Isaac Machado; Ana Nava; Osvalda Rodrigues; Josefina Silva; Denise Speziale; Cambridge City Councillor Tim Toomey; and Joe Vasconcelos.

For the 2010s, the organization will honor Eusebio Arruda; Mark Cafua; Duarte Carvalho; Mary Cassesso; Joe Cerqueira; Philip Chaves; Salvi Couto; Sal Couto; John B. Cruz; Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone; Rui Domingos; Paul Ferreira; Antonio Frias; Tony Lafuente; Milena Mello; Gilda Nogueira; Angela and Daniel Rao; Arthur Rodrigues; Fernando Sardinha; Dinart Serpa; Manny Silva; and Walter Sousa.

The MAPS 50+1 Anniversary Gala is proudly presented at the Diamond sponsorship level by a group of Dunkin’ franchise owners – the Cafua, Carvalho, Couto, Rodrigues, Sardinha, and Serpa families.

Accutronics, Inc., the Joe and Dorothy Chaves Foundation, and Naveo Credit Union sponsor the Gala at the Platinum level, while the East Cambridge Savings Bank is a Gold sponsor.

The Cambridge Health Alliance is sponsoring the 50+1 Anniversary gala at the Silver level, along with M.S. Walker who will provide complimentary fine Portuguese wines to be served with dinner.

The Bronze level sponsors are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cabot Risk Strategies, LLC; Cambridge Printing Company; Cruz Companies; Eastern Bank; Rocco’s Restaurant and Bar; S&F Concrete, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.