Rosie's Place raises $825,000 at annual Safe & Sound Gala

Rosie's Place raised $825,000 at its annual Safe & Sound Gala, held May 6 at The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts.

The event drew about 300 attendees and supported the Boston-based community center's work with poor and homeless women. Retired WCVB-TV anchor Susan Wornick served as emcee.

Proceeds will support Rosie's Place programs, including emergency shelter, meals, a food pantry, education, legal services, behavioral health support, employment assistance, housing help and stabilization services.

Rosie's Place President and CEO Leemarie Mosca said during the event that the organization is seeing increased need.

"Every day we are seeing women in despair and meeting women who never thought they'd need our help," Mosca said. "In response we are offering more help in more ways than ever before. And we're far from finished. Over the next two years, we will grow all of our programming by 25%."

Funds were raised through event chairs, table hosts, patrons and supporters, as well as a silent auction, live auction, "mystery wine pull" raffle and fund-a-need donations.

The evening included food from 13 Boston-area chefs and restaurants, including Kimberly Beatrix of La Padrona; Andrew Brady and Sara Markey of Field & Vine; Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery; Tim and Nancy Cushman of o ya; Steve DeFillippo and Rodney Murillo of Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse; Luke Fetbroth of Tonino; Andy Husbands of The Smoke Shop BBQ; David Kriz of Tres Gatos; Jacob Mendros of Prima Italian Steakhouse; and David Punch of Sycamore, Little Big Diner and Jinny's. John Erdman of Bianca Woodfire Kitchen & Bar served as mixologist for the evening.

Event chairs were Cherise and Robert Bransfield, Christina and Michael Gordon, the Marriott Daughters Foundation, Michele May and David Walt, and Deb and Mark Pasculano.

Founded in 1974, Rosie's Place was the first shelter for women in the United States. The organization says it relies on support from individuals, foundations and corporations and does not accept city, state or federal funding.

Written with information provided by Rosie's Place