The Ellie Fund's Oscar Night Boston gala, which was timed to Sunday night's broadcast of the Academy Awards, drew more than 300 guests to the candlelit confines of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Raking in $200,000 for the breast cancer charity, the event sold out a record 10 days after the invitations were mailed out—which was both a boon and a challenge for planners.
"It is very difficult to tell friends and supporters that the gala is sold out," said the fund's executive director, Julie Nations, and events manager, Hillary McManama, in a joint email before the event. "We were overwhelmed with the number of individuals and companies that wanted to support the event and wish that all of them could celebrate the Academy Awards and the Ellie Fund's work with us on Sunday."
For those who did score tickets, the duo looked to provide "a fun, first-class experience where [guests] are treated like stars," aided by a slew of vendors and sponsors that contributed to the evening.
Double Cross vodka, for example, provided specialty martinis, while swag bags were stuffed with goodies from Sephora, Prudential Center, Lindt, and more. In an activation sponsored by Jet Blue, guests could have their photos snapped with actor Chris Cooper's Academy Award. Other perks included a living Oscar statue from Craig Sutton Entertainment, tasting stations from 17 local eateries and bakeries, and refreshments from partners Harpoon Beer and Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
Local media outlets and personalities helped raise the event's profile and raise funds. New this year was a lounge area sponsored by Boston Common magazine, which provided a spot for Laura Raposa and Gayle Fee of the Boston Herald's "Inside Track" to interview V.I.P. guests. Bianca de la Garza and Dorothy Krysiuk from WCVB-TV Channel 5 conducted red carpet interviews as guests arrived, and the channel's anchors, Susan Wornick and David Brown, led the live auction. The anchors "typically raise $20,000 in 20 minutes," the planners said, and this year was no exception.