Room to Grow Fall Gala

Room to Grow Fall Gala

December 7, 2012

Westin Copley Place

(BOSTON) Room to Grow aims to raise critical funds and awareness to combat childhood poverty at its annual Fall Gala on December 7, at the Westin Copley Place. The gala is Room to Grow’s largest fundraising event of the year and supports parents raising babies in poverty with one-in-one parenting guidance and essential infant and toddler items to ensure a healthy and secure start for their children. In Boston, 28% of all children are living in households with an income less than $25,000, and in some Boston neighborhoods, child poverty rates exceed 42%.  

At the Room to Grow Fall Gala notable Bostonians will celebrate the extraordinary efforts of 350 families enrolled in the program who want to overcome the challenges of raising babies in poverty. “The success of this gala is crucial,” says Room to Grow executive director Robyn Carter. She adds, “As the need for parenting support and material resources increases, Room to Grow plans to nearly double the number of families it serves in the coming years. Room to Grow helps reduce the financial strain of raising a child in the first three years of development, so parents can focus on nurturing their children.” 
Room to Grow will honor Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation, for his dedication to raising awareness, financial support and dialogue between government, social service providers and the community to find solutions for the hardest hit populations in Boston. Grogan joined the Foundation from Harvard University, and served as president and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and in the administrations of Boston Mayors White and Flynn. 

Krista and Steve Alperin, Beth and Jamie Athanasoulas, Lauren and Charlie Baker, and Steffanie and Lou Merloni are chairs of the event, with local TV legend Mary Richardson taking the stage to emcee an inspirational program. The festive event also includes dinner, music and an auction full of sports, travel and dining experiences. Hot items include, a home cooked dinner and wine pairing for ten guests by chef Paul Wahlberg, a poker game with "Bringing Down the House" author Ben Mezrich, and a backstage tour of the Boston Ballet by artistic director Mikko Nissinen. Plus, emphasizing Room to Grow's mission to build futures, a group of LEGO experts will build a large LEGO structure that will be auctioned off at the end of the evening. 

Room to Grow Fall Gala tickets are $250 per person and must be purchased in advance.

The gala starts at 6:30 p.m.

For more information visit www.roomtogrow.org or call 617.859.4545.