Boles and Kinder families honored with Latham’s Roy T. Morgan Award

At last week’s End of Year Celebration, Latham Centers’ President Anne McManus presented the Roy T. Morgan Award to two very dear families who are friends of Latham. The Kinder and Boles families have been supporters and friends to our students for decades. “The Roy T. Morgan Award is the highest honor that Latham Centers can bestow upon members of the community,” Anne said. “It is awarded for service which has had a significant and lasting impact on the children of Latham Centers. The generosity of the Roy T. Morgan Foundation has shaped our campus, enriched our programming, and inspired our future.”

The Boles Family: Anne’s journey with the Boles family began 20 years ago. “I recall clearly when I first met Margie and Russell Boles – I was immediately drawn to their curiosity and energy,” she told the Year End Celebration audience. “They wanted to know all about our students and the challenges our staff face. As the years progressed, Russell and Margie have been generous with their time, talent, and treasure. Russell served as a Board member, advisor, and mentor. Working along with our dear friend Bill McClennan, he was instrumental in the building of the Yawkey Dormitory and the Big John Playfield we stand on today. Throughout it all, Margie was always there to support everyone’s efforts, and the rest of the family has also shared their enthusiasm, expertise, and passions with us. Laird Boles shared his talent and love of music with our students. Margaret Boles Fitzgerald became a mentor and friend to both me and Heather Kelsey, our Development Director, supporting us in the capital campaign and serving as an Honorary Chair of the campaign advisory committee. Liz Boles Gutterson has always supported Latham, along with her father and sister, through her work at the Roy T. Morgan Foundation. These dear people are part of our story. Latham Centers would not be what we are today without their commitment and friendship.”

The Kinder Family: Joe Kinder has consistently lent his support to our work through his participation in countless annual celebrations and through his involvement as a trustee of the Roy T. Morgan Foundation. Joe, along with his children, Ralph and Christine, has supported the development and growth of arts and music curriculum for Latham students. They have been stalwart supporters of Latham’s Special Olympics training program and countless projects that have made Latham what it is today. Though the Kinders were unable to join us for the award presentation, we look forward to welcoming them to campus later this summer.

All of us at Latham Centers would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to the Boles and Kinder families.

Photo captions: The Boles family – Dr. Russell Boles and his wife Margie, with daughters Margaret Boles Fitzgerald and Elizabeth (Liz) Boles Gutterson; Margaret and Liz accept the Roy T. Morgan Award; Anne enjoys a moment with Dr. Boles.