We hopped aboard the Odyssey to support Quality Trust.
By Meghan Moriarty
“Monumental View” from the Odyssey. Photo taken by Meghan Moriarty
Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities hosted its’ sixth annual “Cruisin’ for a Cause” event on the Odyssey ship, and we were thrilled to be there. The cruise took 147 passengers down the Potomac River with monumental views all down the mall.
Quality Trust CEO, Tina Campanella and Honorary Chair Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton hosted the evening that began with a VIP reception for board members, stakeholders, sponsors, and other chairs, with an open bar cocktail hour. Norton is the mother of a daughter with developmental disabilities, and has been a longtime advocate for Quality Trust.
Quality Trust CEO, Tina Campanella. Photo Courtesy of Quality Trust
The non-profit advocacy organization focuses on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities. They support over 1,000 children and adults, and are the only member-directed advocacy organization in the D.C. area. They assist individuals who are seeking to live on their own, find work, or need legal representation. Quality Trust’s goal is to “help people solve problems and get the tools to lead the best life possible.
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The boat sailed off right before sunset, and guests enjoyed appetizers like shrimp and watermelon, goat cheese and bread, and a variety of mixed vegetables. The dance floor began to crowd with people tapping their feet and swaying from left to right.
The back of the room was reserved for silent auction items that ranged from sports and theater tickets to exercise classes and “one-of-a-kind” experiences.
For the main course, guests were able to choose from a series of different entrees, including crab cakes, salmon and mustard glazed chicken. Following dinner, guests headed for the dessert bar. It had everything from key lime pie to chocolate cake and fruit.
Council Member Vincent Orange. Photo courtesy of Quality Trust
Once everyone got situated in their seats, the audience heard from council member Vincent Orange and Quality Trust CEO, Tina Campanella.
Merrill Lynch, QT Board Chair Chase Phillips. Photo Courtesy of Quality Trust
Quality Trust board chair, Chase Phillips, shared his story about his personal struggle living with a disability, and reiterated QT’s goal- people living with disabilities should receive equal access to services and opportunities in the D.C. area.
Photo taken by Meghan Moriarty
Whether guests were dancing on their two feet, crutches or even in a wheelchair, everyone could be found enjoying the live band on the dance floor by the end of the night. The event raised $45,000 in total, and all proceeds will benefit Quality Trust’s advocacy and outreach efforts. Each guest left grinning ear to ear, heels in hand, with a Bloomingdale’s ‘swag bag.
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Photo taken by Meghan Moriarty
Next year’s event will be different from the past, because it will be on land! The location is still a secret, but we were assured that you won’t want to miss out.
