Marketing firm has a big wish for Massachusetts’ children
WESTBOROUGH _ PENTA Communications, Inc., has a big wish for Massachusetts’ children and it’s pulling out all the stops to make this wish become a reality. The company announced this week that after hosting its Black Tie Dinner Gala and Auction to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® at the Ritz Carlton Boston, [recently sold to the Tage hotel] it would bring the event home to Central Massachusetts at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 6 pm. – midnight.
The PENTA Gala has been held for the last six years to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts, and to date the event has raised over $400,000 for 77 children faced with life-threatening medical conditions. Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. Founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 144,000 children around the world. Although it has become one of the world’s most well known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts granted its first wish in 1987 and since that time has granted over 3,600 statewide. The average cost of a wish is approximately $6,000.
“Our firm is very excited to bring this wonderful event home to Central Massachusetts,” said PENTA CEO Deborah Penta. “We have received substantial support from the Central Massachusetts and greater Boston communities over the past six years. While we have held the event in the Back Bay previously, our loyal supporters are looking forward to a twist with the change in location. It will be a magical event with the hope of funding our 100th wish to benefit the children of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Each year, we set out to achieve a fundraising goal and this year, we look forward to achieving this milestone.”
Past wish recipients who have benefited from the gala, include a seven-year old boy from Hopkinton who was diagnosed with AAL, a form of leukemia. His wish was to go on a Disney cruise, which was fulfilled. Another past recipient included a 15 year-old teen from Stoughton who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His wish included a very special mountain bike (helmet included), which enabled him to ride in the Race For Research, a personal dream of his.
“We take great pride and joy in helping children to forget, even for a few moments, the trials they may be going through,” Penta said.
The event will take place at Mechanic’s Hall in Worcester and will culminate with a cocktail hour jazz reception performed by the renowned Dan Greenspan Trio. The classic piano trio is led by double-bassist Dan Greenspan and performs standard, modern and original jazz repertoire, followed by an evening of elegant dining, created by Struck Catering of Worcester. One of Boston’s top-rated bands, Urban Renewal, (a group whose soulful vocals, dynamic horns and funky four-piece rhythm section) will entertain throughout the evening. There will be a silent and live auction led by auctioneer Paul Zekos, with many one-of-a-kind experiential trips, events and items, as well as a vast array of silent auction items.
“PENTA Communications’ support of the Foundation is truly inspiring,” said Charlotte Beatty, CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts. “The hard work demonstrated by Deborah and her team, along with the generosity of the event guests, is much appreciated by the Foundation and all of our wish children.”
PENTA hopes to fund its 100th wish as Mechanics Hall celebrates its 150-year anniversary. Built in 1857 and restored in 1977, Mechanics Hall is considered one of the world’s finest concert halls and boasts all the elegance of the 19th century, with the amenities of today. A non-profit organization, it is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.
Each year the efforts of hundreds of compassionate people from the Central Massachusetts and Boston areas have joined forces in order to bring hope and joy to those children in need. Penta is confident that the change in venue will give those in the Central Massachusetts area a greater opportunity to attend the event and looks forward to seeing many new people who will attend her firm’s event for first time.
“We are deeply grateful to many Central Massachusetts-based companies for taking such an interest in the Gala, and in assisting us with our mission to help the children in our area receive the gift of hope through the power of a wish. It takes a community to achieve great feats and we could not accomplish our mission without the incredible support of our clients, partners and friends,” Penta said.