More than 400 guests gathered to celebrate the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston on Friday night at the home of board chair Sandra M. Edgerley. The Boys & Girls Clubs “House Party,” as it’s known, is typically held in a different donor’s home each year. However, this year marked a return to the Edgerley family’s private clubhouse and basketball gym, where the event was held five years ago.
“[The House Party] is very much a celebration of the work that we do on behalf of the children that we serve,” said Jill Goldweitz, senior director of annual giving and events. “The Edgerley family has a huge recreation home, which goes along well with the sports theme of the evening.”
The gym, where the cocktail hour took place, was decorated with red and white athletic equipment with messaging inspired by the organization's tagline, “Invest in a child, inspire a future,” found on basketballs, footballs, fuzzy hands, pendants, and megaphones.
The family’s museum-quality, signed sports memorabilia filled the adjacent clubhouse, creating an atmosphere that lent itself to the theme of the evening: celebrating the programs of the local organization, including its extensive athletics program.
After cocktail hour, a tent housed the dinner, a brief program, music by local band Eye2Eye, and dancing. The vibe in the tent was fueled by summery colors, including bright purple and green linens, and fresh fruit or flower centerpieces from Winston Flowers. High tables, topped with tall vases filled with green leafy branches, were placed at the back of the dining area to allow for a better view of the stage.
“The high centerpiece design has a couple different impacts. Value is one—the branches are not expensive,” said Bryan Rafanelli, president and C.E.O. of event producer Rafanelli Events. “But by bringing the table higher and bringing up a visual design element, we helped to make an impact but still really save a lot of money. It’s a cost-effective way to create drama and fill the space. It’s a great trick.”
Highlights of the evening included a surprise rap performance by Yung Fresh—a Boys & Girls Clubs member—and a video tribute to Edgerley and her work with the nonprofit over the years.
With an additional donation of $30,000, one House Party guest purchased a sports package, which included dinner with the owners of the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and New England Revolution.
The event generated close to $1.7 million, all of which goes to support the 10 Boys and Girls Clubs in the Boston area.
