Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/259813
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY What: Join the American Cancer Society for its annual Key Gala benefiting the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center in Boston, which gives cancer patients a home while they receive outpatient treatment in the city. The event will honor James C. Foster, chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer of Charles River Laboratories. Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing to music by Beantown, and silent and live auctions. keygala.org When: April 3, 6 PM to midnight Where: TD Garden, 100 Legends Way DANA-FARBER CANCER CENTER What: Enjoy fine food and cocktails as more than 50 of Boston's best chefs come together for Chefs Cooking for Hope and Dana-Farber. Guests will sample small bites from legendary chefs including Michael Schlow, of Alta Strada and Tico, who is the evening's honorary chef. Proceeds benefit cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Institute. Last year's event raised nearly $60,000. dana-farber.org/friends When: March 6, 6:30–9 PM Where: 125 High St. TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER What: Join other supporters at the Working Wonders gala to recognize the 2014 winner of the Cam Neely Award for Courage, 20-year-old Allison Hawkes, who exemplifies an individual who has fought cancer with determination. The award ceremony will be part of an evening that also includes a seated dinner and a live auction. Proceeds benefit Tufts Medical Center and the Tufts Medical Center Floating Hospital for Children. Last year's event raised a record-setting $1.17 million. workingwonderstuftsmc.org When: March 26, 6–9 PM Where: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St. HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY What: Have a musical evening at the annual Spotlight Spectacular Gala, which honors trustee John D. Spooner and The Jungle Book director Mary Zimmerman with the Wimberly Award. The evening kicks off with cocktails and an online auction, followed by dinner, musical performances, and a rousing live auction. The event, which raised more than $1 million last year, benefits the theater's youth and education program and is chaired by Susan B. Kaplan. huntingtontheatre.org When: April 28, 6 PM Where: The Boston Park Plaza Castle, 130 Columbus Ave. MAKE-A-WISH What: Enrich the lives of children suffering from serious illness at the annual Make-A- Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island gala. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, and an afterparty with emcee Liz Brunner. The goal is to raise more than $1 million to grant 170 children's wishes; last year's event raised $1.3 million. massri.wish.org/gala When: April 12, 6:30 PM Where: InterContinental Boston, 510 Atlantic Ave. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LINO SANCHEZ (DIPLOMA, GRADUATION); PAUL MAROTTA (KAPLAN); MICHAEL BLANCHARD (BRUNNER); COURTESY OF TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER (AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY) competitive high schools. "I can spot a kid who needs us right away. It's just a way of being. It's a different language." Poor hygiene, hunger, anger, and sad- ness are some of the red flags Sanchez looks for. "I think to myself, I know that kid. That was me." Not anymore. Now married with six children, Sanchez feels like a different man—but not too dif- ferent. "I keep my old life in the forefront of my mind," he says. Once a month he has lunch with his old cellmate Sam, who now practices as a doctor. "He has overcome a lot," says Sam, "and, like myself, is a living example that everyone has good inside themselves and a purpose in life." Sanchez considers his transformation to be part luck ("If I hadn't met Sam, I'm not sure my life would have turned out this way") and part street smarts. "That's what all kids in poverty have—survival skills. I'm just taking those skills and teaching my kids how to apply them in a positive way." For Sanchez, the mission is more than fulfilling—it is personal. "When they succeed, I succeed." And with that, Sanchez's eyes light up. urbanachievers.org BC INSIGHT What: Urban Achievers volunteer informational session When: March 29, 1 PM Where: Epiphany School, 154 Centre Street, Dorchester RSVP: Call 617-326-0425 ext. 228 or e-mail lsanchez@urbanachievers.org Charity Regist er OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE. Lino Sanchez receiving his diploma at his college graduation, with sons, in 2013. continued from page 56 58 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY 054-058_BC_SP_SpofGen_Spring14.indd 58 2/6/14 4:44 PM