The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers is seeking nominations for its 2026 Annual Awards Gala, according to a community announcement.
The event is scheduled for April 25, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Boston/Cambridge.
The health and social services organization is inviting community members to submit nominations for three award categories: the Jorge Fidalgo Community Service Award, the Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award and the Person of the Year Award, according to the announcement.
Community members can submit nominations by Sept. 17 online at maps-inc.org/gala2026 or by calling 617-864-7600.
The awards gala, MAPS’ largest fundraising event, honors the achievements of exceptional individuals and organizations who have contributed significantly to the betterment of the lives of Portuguese-speaking community members and others in Massachusetts. The event is a celebration of Brazilian, Cabo-Verdean and Portuguese cultures with more than 400 guests, a red-carpet reception, cocktail hour, banquet, live musical entertainment, online auction and after-party.
“Honoring the generosity, success and leadership within our communities is one of the highlights of the year for us,” said Paulo Pinto, CEO of MAPS, in a statement. “Our gala is an opportunity to shine a light on individuals and organizations whose work uplifts others, and we invite the community to help us recognize them.”
MAPS has served the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts and others since 1970, according to the announcement. The organization offers many free health and social services through its six offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Dorchester, Framingham, Lowell and Everett.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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