3rd ANNUAL GOAL Boston Ball
The 3rd Annual GOAL Boston Ball on Friday March 6th, at the Westin Copley, proved to be a tremendous night with a net total of $300,000 raised for the poorest of the poor.
GOAL USA hosted 450 guests at the black tie event who enjoyed a cocktail reception, a three course meal, live and silent auctions, music and dancing.
Organizers at GOAL are overwhelmed with the support shown by Bostonians, given the current economic climate.
“We are delighted at the amount actually raised, given the tough times we are all facing,” GOAL CEO John O’Shea said, “With the funds raised at the ball we will be able to bring vital relief to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
“The efforts of all those at the Boston Ball will allow us to continue providing the basic rights and needs of life; food, water, health, education and shelter to the poor across the Developing World. Thanks to everyone who made the ball such a success.”
GOAL Boston Board chairman Aidan Browne introduced a Q&A session between the Globe columnist Kevin Cullen and the world record breaking ultra-marathon runner Richard Donovan. Richard recently completed the astonishing feat of running seven marathons on seven continents in less than six days. He dedicated his record breaking challenge to raising awareness for GOAL’s work in Darfur.
Keynote Speaker Maura Lennon, who has been with GOAL for 24 years, spoke of her experiences at the forefront of some of the world’s most devastating disasters including the Ethiopian famine of 1984, Rwanda in the aftermath of the ’94 genocide and post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia to name just a few. GOAL Boston guests listened intently to some of the tragic, but also heart-warming and inspiring accounts of Maura’s experiences working at the frontline of GOAL.
The special project, where guests have the chance to pledge directly to a project in an auction style round of bidding, was building houses for HIV/AIDS affected orphans and vulnerable families in Uganda. With 50 guests bidding, enough money was raised to construct 12 houses, providing shelter, protection and the means to obtain education and livelihoods for vulnerable children.
GOAL would like to thank our generous sponsors Houghton Mifflin Harcourt – Cocktail hour sponsor, Commonwealth Wine – Wine Sponsor, RIM – Bar Sponsor, STAG Capital – AV sponsor, CityScapes – decorations sponsor, Brightstar Corp – Entertainment Sponsor, Roche Bros – Registration Sponsor, kjeldm photography – Photography Sponsor, Intivation Coat Check Sponsor, Lincoln Properties – Signage Sponsor, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation – Platinum Ball Sponsor, Gold Medal Bakery, Barbara and Patrick Roche, Daniel and Eileen Roche, Hood, Grupo difoto – Gold Ball Sponsors, General Catalyst, Mercer, Bozzuto's Inc – Silver Ball Sponsors.
GOAL would like to thank our generous prize donors: Abby Nelson, Aer Lingus, Aidan Browne, Aisling Gallery, American Airlines, Americana Tickets NY, Anglo Irish Bank, Artisanal, Atlantic Beer Garden, Barry O’Callaghan, Bia Bistro, Benjamin Hincks, Benners, Bostix & ArtsBoston, Il Bricco, Café Fleuri, Cape Air, Chuan Body and Soul Spa, Ciara Smyth, Ciaran McNelis, Cipriani,Circle Line Cruises, Collaborative Consulting, Commonwealth Travel, Corto Moltedo, Crocs, Crystal Travel, David P. Ehrlich, Co. ,Declan Mehigan & The Paradise Rock Club, Distilled Clothing, Doonbeg Golf Club, DPS Sporting Club, Druids Glen Golf Club, Eddie Roche, Emma Ardiff - Double O’Publishing, eyeSpy baby cashmere, Four Seasons – Boston, Grainne Coen, Janice Egan, Jewell Towne Vineyards, Joe Keogan, Joe Opp, Joe Reilly, John Dooley, Jon Cronin, Joseph Carr Napa Valley, Julie Livingstone, Jurys Great Russell Street, Jurys Hotel Boston, Kate Maloney, Kate Smyth - Killiney Golf Club, Kelly Cook, Kevin Cullen, Kevin Malloy, Kyle Schneck, Leading Hotels of the World, Leeba Salon, Leslie Buckley, Liberty Hotel, Lucca,Mare, Mari Jo & Joe Harney, Market, Mary Ballard, Mary Murphy, Mary Schrall, Mick Coghlan, Mimi Crume, NASCAR & Jeff Gordon, New York Palace, Niamh Bushnell, Nicola Parish, N.V. Perricone, M.D., LLC., Paradisus Playa Conchal - Costa Rica, Peter Palandjian, Rota Portrait Design, Sam Kennedy, Samadhi, Shizu Homma, Sorcha, Stephen Johnston, Sullivan & Worcester LLP, The Aisling Gallery, The Boston Red Sox, The David Letterman Show, The East Village Hotel, The Lanesborough Hotel, The Langham Hotel - Boston, The Merrion Hotel, The New England Patriots, The Playwright, The Ritz-Carlton - Amelia Island, Tim Cullen, Tracy Byrne, Trattoria Il Panino, Tully’s Travel, Vera Bradley, Westin Copley, William Hackett
