United States Senator Edward Markey will give the keynote address at Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s 15th Annual Making a Difference Gala on Thursday, April 16 at 5:30 pm at Andover Country Club.

John Silva, President & Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are thrilled that United States Senator Ed Markey has agreed to be our keynote speaker for our 15^th Making a Difference Gala. Senator Markey has been serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Washington, D.C. since 1976, and has always been a champion for Community Health Centers like GLFHC, and our nationally recognized teaching health center, the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency program.”

Also during the event, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) will honor Lawrence Partnership with the 2020 Making a Difference Award. Formed in 2014, the partnership is a private/public sector collaboration for the economic development and general improvement of the City of Lawrence. Members include business leaders, nonprofit executives and elected officials working together to support a shared vision for the community.

Lawrence Partnership works to create lasting employment opportunities and upward mobility for the residents of Lawrence. It serves as an advocate and a voice for the city, communicating the success stories of the Lawrence community and creating a vision for the future of Lawrence.

“If there has ever been a coalition that has made an immediate impact in such a short period of time for our city, it’s the Lawrence Partnership,” Silva said. “The partnership, its board, and executive committee truly personify what the Making a Difference Award is all about – whether it be the establishment of the Venture Fund for small business development, the focus on workforce development or the focus on cross-sectoral collaboration and developing new leaders, the Lawrence Partnership has made a difference for so many and will continue to well into the future.”

The Making a Difference Gala is GLFHC’s signature fundraising event, featuring raffles, a silent auction, dinner, and a near-capacity crowd of 500. Tickets are $150 per person and may be purchased at https://glfhc.org/gala2020.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available and those interested in being a sponsor may contact Director of Community Relations Mary Lyman at mary.lyman@glfhc.org.