Big Brothers Big Sisters raised $150,000 at Big Celebration event

Worcester, MA Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & MetroWest held its annual spring fundraiser, The Big Celebration, at the AC Hotel in Worcester on April 6, 2019. The Kentucky Derby inspired event featured horse racing games, casino tables, and impressive live and silent auctions.

The event raised nearly $150,000 to help Big Brothers Big Sisters expand its professionally supported mentoring programs and reach more children in need of one-on-one attention from responsible and caring volunteers in 42 Central Massachusetts and MetroWest communities.

Bob’s Discount Furniture, The TJX Companies and The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation were lead sponsors of the event.

The Big Celebration attracted financial support from many local sponsors including Avidia Bank, Struck Catering, Bollus Lynch, Carr Financial, Cornerstone Bank, Country Bank, Fletcher Tilton PC Attorneys at law, Gardner Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Harvard Pilgrim, Latitude Beverage / 90+ Cellars, Middlesex Savings Bank, Mirick O’Connell, Netscout, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Parsons Commercial Group, The Red Sox Foundation, Signavio Webster Five, and Wolf & Company, P.C.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & MetroWest presented its annual Bob Cousy MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award at the event. The Bob Cousy MVP Award is given annually to a community partner who demonstrates consistent generosity and dedication to supporting the organization’s mission. This year's recipient was Maurice Boisvert of Shrewsbury. Maurice “Moe” Boisvert, CEO Emeritus of YOU Inc. in Worcester, stepped in to help Big Brothers Big Sisters as the Interim Executive Director while CEO, Jeffrey Chin, served in Afghanistan for 8 months in 2018, providing the organization with tremendous experience and leadership.

The organization presented its LAUNCH Innovation Award to The Worcester Police Department. The Worcester Police Department has been selected for their partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to launch the Bigs in Blue program, a new initiative where children are matched with police officers as mentors. To date, 10 Worcester police officers are serving as volunteer Bigs to children in Worcester. Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Worcester Police Department plan to grow this partnership by enrolling another 20 police officers by spring 2020.

"The Big Celebration is an opportunity to bring so many of our supporters, partners, and friends together for a fun and exciting evening in support of our mission" said Jeffrey Chin, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Mass & MetroWest. "The BIG Celebration provides so many dedicated people within our network and community a chance to make great connections, have a fantastic evening out, and support the best cause: providing mentoring to at-risk children throughout the Central Massachusetts and MetroWest region. Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters - we could not have done this without you!"

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & MetroWest

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & MetroWest is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Children’s lives are enhanced and their potential unlocked when they have a mentor in their lives to celebrate their successes. For more than 55 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/ Metrowest has helped transform the lives of more than 35,000 children facing adversity. www.bbbscm.org.