Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/460267
Charity register Opportunities to give. DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE What: Mix philanthropy with fne food at the 17th annual Chefs Cooking for Hope event, benefting patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More than 50 restaurants will be represented, including Tresca, Stephi's on Tremont, and La Morra, with star chefs preparing small dishes to delight guests. Specialty drinks will also be served, courtesy of Mayfower Brewing Company and Fruitations. The event, chaired by Sree Balamurugesh, aims to raise around $60,000, as it has in previous years. dana-farber.org/friends When: March 5, 6:30 pm Where: 125 High St. MASSGENERAL HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN What: The Aspire Spring Gala supports programs at MassGeneral Hospital that help young people on the autism spectrum fnd ways to express themselves. The event's organizers, including cochair Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith, hope to surpass the $1.67 million raised last year, with all proceeds directly funding these important programs. Aspire's mission will be front and center all night as more than 800 guests enjoy a cocktail reception and dinner. aspiregala.com When: April 2, 6 pm Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St. ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY What: Show your appreciation for the arts at the 10th annual Greatest Party on Earth. The evening will begin with a benefactor reception, where guests can view and purchase artworks by teenagers while indulging in hors d'oeuvres, wine, and signature cocktails. The party will continue in the Lewis Gallery, where guests are invited to enjoy live entertainment and dance the night away. Funds raised will beneft Artists for Humanity and its efforts to bridge socioeconomic gaps and promote independence in teens. afhboston.org When: April 25, 7:30 pm Where: EpiCenter, 100 W. Second St. HUNTINGTON THEATER COMPANY What: Channel your inner prima donna in support of the arts at the Spotlight Spectacular, a night of music, auctions, dinner, and cocktails, benefting the Huntington Theater Company's wide range of programs and initiatives designed to enrich the Boston community. This year's event will honor the Huntington's president, Mitchell Roberts, and his wife, Jill. The organizers hope to raise $1 million, as they have in previous years. huntingtontheatre.org When: April 27, 6 pm Where: Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St. The Warriors: Follow these fundraising femmes on TV and online. Christine MCsherry Occupation: Executive director, the Jett Foundation Passion: The Jett Foundation raises awareness and funds to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy—the number-one fatal pediatric disorder, which robs young boys of the ability to walk, limits their independence, and leads to early death. Due to a recently developed breakthrough drug, there is new hope, and the organization is lobbying for its accelerated approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Money is also needed to continue offering the programs that support children with the disease. jettfoundation.org MiChelle sanChez Occupation: School principal Passion: Epiphany School provides economically disadvantaged children in grades fve through eight with an educa- tion that challenges them academically. The program focuses on individual attention and skill building and offers its students far-reaching support. The school is open more than 12 hours a day, 11 months a year, and also assists its graduates with extracurricular pro- gramming. epiphanyschool.com reia Briggs Connor Occupation: Former New England Patriots cheerleader, founder of R&B Entertainment Passion: Team Sanflippo is a medical research foundation started by a group of parents determined to fnd potential therapies that can be tested clinically in the hope of curing Sanflippo syndrome, which stops normal development in children and can cause death before adulthood. The foundation works in partnership with similar organizations to advance research and improve the quality of life for children with the disease. teamsanflippo.org eriCa Corsano Occupation: Journalist P assion: MSPCA-Angell is a leader in animal protection and veterinary medi- cine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. The private organization is the second-oldest humane society in the United States. Services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane educa- tion, law enforcement, and veterinary care. mspca.org BarBara Quiroga Occupation: Founder and proprietor of the marketing and PR frm Barbara Quiroga and Associates Passion: Rogerson Communities serves countless elders and their families in Greater Boston by providing affordable housing for low-income seniors and adult day health programs. With 26 proper- ties and programs, innovative ftness training, and memory-loss care and treat- ment, Rogerson promotes independence, longevity, and vitality. The funds it raises support its programs, provide respite for families, and maintain homes that elders can be proud to live in. rogerson.org Christy Scott Cashman at the launch party for Charity Warriors. photography by ryan Stranz For McSherry, the opportunity to compete in Charity Warriors—whether or not she won—was thrilling. "I was humbled to be included among these amazing, philanthropic, and inspirational women in this competition." Ba rba ra Qu i roga , who fought for Rogerson Com mu n it ies, wh ich suppor t s elderly a nd low- income men and women, agrees. "I thought, What a great opportunity to get in front of a new audience and talk about Rogerson Communities." Rounding out the field are Michelle Sanchez, who battled for the Epiphany School, a charter school in Roxbury, a nd Reia Br iggs Connor, who fought for Ja red's Foundation and Team Sanfilippo. Briggs Connor, a former New England Patriots cheerleader, joined the competition to represent her son, Jared, who was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, a condition that stops normal development and causes hyper- activity, sleep disorders, loss of speech, dementia, and, in many cases, death before adulthood. But the April screening isn't the end of Charity Warriors, says Cashman; it's just the beginning. As well as announcing the winner, the screening will introduce the candidates for next season's edition. Viewers can vote for their favorite on the Charity Warriors website, where prospective competitors can also submit audition videos, which the public can watch. "Charity Warriors is a combination of a contest, an online platform, and a live event," says Cashman. "The website will also house content to assist women who are not in the contest. A mentor- ing section, informative videos, and other helpful content w ill be created for genera l f undra ising ideas." Isobar, a dig ital marketing agency, is the first main sponsor, but Cashman hopes that others will step up to help spread the idea from state to state. "It sounds like a cliché that everybody wins in Charity Warriors," she says, "but everyone really does win." April 15 at 7 pm. For the venue and other information, visit charitywarriors.org. BC bostoncommon-magazine.com 59