Annual Friend Raiser Celebration Photos & Videos!

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Annual Friend Raiser Celebration

We are proud to announce Ashley LaFortune as our 2025 Achiever of the Year!

Our theme is Igniting Hope, Sparking Dreams, and Ashley's story embodies that!

Ashley with Award Resized for Web

Achiever of the Year - Ashley LaFortune (that's her in the photo above in 2nd grade!)

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Watch what Ashley's Teachers, Former Professional Mentor, Friends Staff, and others had to say about her!

About Our Friend Raiser

We are thrilled to celebrate the life-changing work at Friends-Boston with You!

We had an amazing evening on Friday May 9th filled with joy and celebration. Thank you to ALL our guests who came out in support of our amazing Achievers. We can not do this work without you!

We take pride in hosting an event that showcases the amazing stories of perseverance of our Achievers while honoring a community champion.

Guests once again were able to play games with our Achievers and their Friends, hear from our amazing Achievers and team of Friends, engage with fellow guests, bid on over 20 amazing auction items, and just plain have fun!

View Photos from our Friend Raiser!
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Introducing our New Organization Video Premiered at the Friend Raiser!

Honoring Liberty Mutual with The Power of One Award

We are proud to honor Liberty Mutual Insurance with The Power of One Award. The Award is given to an institution or individual who has had both profound impact on Friends of the Children-Boston and the Greater Boston community. Liberty's impact can be seen at Friends-Boston and beyond and we are honored to call them a partner.

Melissa Brooklyn Arlene Reduced for Web

Melissa MacDonnell, President of the Liberty Mutual Foundation and Vice President of Community Investments at Liberty Mutual Insurance accepted the Power of One Award from Achiever B and her Professional Mentor Arlene

Your investment fuels our mission!

Our Friend Raiser is our signature fundraising event and night of celebration. In addition to being essential to our yearly budget helping us to raise $600,000 – we also use this opportunity to celebrate our Achievers and their relationships with their Professional Mentors (Friends). 

This year and at this time, it is more important than ever to ignite their hope and provide the spark to help their dreams come true. We hope that YOU will choose to join us to support their hopes and dreams through our Friend Raiser.

Give in spirit and make a virtual paddle raise using the button below. 100% of donations will directly benefit our Achievers.

Donate

Social Impact Investment Sponsorship Opportunities

We are offering a variety of ways for our Community to Sponsor the Friend Raiser. To learn about Investment Opportunities and how you can sponsor and support our Friend Raiser, please click here to view our Sponsorship Deck.

SOCIAL IMPACT INVESTMENT LEVELS:
Generational Change Sponsor: $50,000
Find Your Spark Sponsor: $25,000
Growth Mindset Sponsor: $10,000
Hope Sponsor: $5,000

If you have any questions, please contact Stacy DellOrfano at stacy@friendsboston.org.

Ready to Sponsor the Friend Raiser now? Then click the button below.

Sponsor the Friend Raiser

THANK YOU TO OUR HONORARY COMMITTEE
Ed Markey, U.S. Senator
Maura Healey, Governor Massachusetts
Russell Holmes, State Representative
Kevin Honan, State Representative
Adrian Madaro, State Representative
Samantha Montaño, State Representative
Chynah Tyler, State Representative
Christopher Worrell, State Representative
Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Council President
Gabriela Coletta-Zapata, Boston City Councilor
Henry Santana, Boston City Councilor

THANK YOU TO OUR HOST COMMITTEE
Ginnette Acevedo
Marybeth & Stephen Bisson
Joe & Christine Boncore
Nicole & David Borden
Michael & Peg Cleary
Jim & Lisa Davey
David & Debbie Donovan
Deborah Drew
Pat & Stephen Gray
Bob & Harriett Hallagan
Junlin Ho & Derrick Ang
Dr. Marvin Loiseau
Julie & David Lynch
Margaret Low
Gary Mikula & Holly Burnet Mikula
Shannon Moore & Barron Wernick
Uchenna J. Ndulue
Allen C Nunnally & Sara DiVello
Charles & Rebecca Platt
Yanina & Mark Reid
Daniel Salera & Phil Higgins
Laura & Mitch Rock
John & Sue Simon
Jeff & Ruth Somers
Danielle & Stephen Williams
Jendayi Williams, Board Member and Program Alumni

Social Impact Investment Sponsors

Auction Sponsors