Dusk was settling over the Boston Common across the street from the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, April 10th as our guests began arriving at the hotel. It was our 7th Annual Black Tie Gala. Nearly 200 hundred of our friends and benefactors were on hand to share this magnificent evening with us. Our theme for the evening was “An Evening on the Red Carpet.” A reception for our VIP’s was held at 6:00 pm and waiters clad in tuxedoes roamed the reception room carrying trays laden with sumptuous appetizers which everyone enjoyed. A short time later the Grand Ballroom opened as the remainder of our guests arrived. As each couple entered the Ballroom area, they strolled down the Red Carpet, pausing midway, where they were photographed by a professional photographer. At the end of the evening, these photos were ready for our guests (photo at right: Residents Vincent McCarthy and Martha Lopez make an elegant showing as they arrive on the red carpet!). Buffet stations were in place in the Ballroom foyer and throughout the room a number of items for our silent auction were on display. Guests had the opportunity to bid on everything from an AT&T phone, flip video cameras, sports memorabilia, tickets to concerts and an assortment of sport events, especially tickets to Boston Red Sox games and Patriot games.
There was a very relaxed atmosphere as our guests milled about enjoying the food and pouring over the Auction items. Sean Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. arrived accompanied by his secretary, Rev. Robert Kickham. Cardinal O’Malley said the blessing then presented flowers to Mother Gertrude and recognized two of the event organizers, Bill Raftery and Craig Gibson.
Afterward, Billy Costa of KISS 108 radio arrived and served as our celebrity auctioneer for our live auction. As with the silent auction, several sport packages for both the Red Sox and Patriots were auctioned along with some unique sports memorabilia. With the auction complete, our guests took to the dance floor with the music being supplied by the band, jim bogus crew. A lively evening ensued as our guests danced the evening away. No one was in a hurry to leave and our event eased its way into the wee hours of the next morning!As everyone left the hotel, they found their picture in a frame on a table together with a gift package containing a statue of St. Jeanne Jugan. Our evening was a success in every way!
