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Rosie's Place Raises Nearly $745,000 at Annual Safe & Sound Gala

Thursday May 18, 2023

From left, Rosie's Place Board Chair Jacquie Anderson; Rosie's Place President/CEO Leemarie Mosca; gala co-host Susan Wornick; and gala co-host Darryl C. Murphy of WBUR.
From left, Rosie's Place Board Chair Jacquie Anderson; Rosie's Place President/CEO Leemarie Mosca; gala co-host Susan Wornick; and gala co-host Darryl C. Murphy of WBUR.  

Rosie's Place, a Boston-based community center for poor and homeless women, announced that it raised nearly $745,000 at its recent gala, beating its goal of $712,500.

The Safe & Sound Gala, held May 10 at The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, drew a crowd of over 300 attendees. Retired WCVB 5 anchor Susan Wornick and WBUR's Darryl C. Murphy served as event co-hosts.

Funds raised from this year's gala will support emergency services including shelter, meals and a food pantry as well as long-term expert education, legal, mental health, recovery, employment, housing and stabilization assistance to some of Boston's most vulnerable women.

"Over this past year, our Advocacy visits have increased by 16%, our eviction prevention work is up 165% and our work to prevent utility shut-offs has nearly doubled. Put simply, when more women show up looking for help, Rosie's Place shows up all the more," said Rosie's Place President/CEO Leemarie Mosca in her remarks. "I am so grateful to each of you for making this happen. Together, we are resolved to help as many women as we are able and to give them each all we can."

Funds were raised via event chairs, table hosts, patrons and supporters; a silent and live auction; a "mystery box" raffle; and through fund-a-need donations collected at the gala.

The evening featured food stations from nine of Boston's best chefs including Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery, Amarylis Colón of Porto, Tim and Nancy Cushman of Bianca, Chandra Gouldrup of The Farmer's Daughter, Andy Husbands of The Smoke Shop, Rachel Miller of Nightshade Noodle Bar, David Punch of Sycamore, Adam Sherburn of Tres Gatos and Kate and Trevor Smith of Thistle and Leek. Geoff Morse of Bianca served as mixologist for the night.

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

Almost five decades after its founding, Rosie's Place not only provides meals and shelter but also creates answers for 12,000 women a year through wide-ranging support, housing and education services. Rosie's Place relies solely on the generous support of individuals, foundations, and corporations and does not accept any city, state, or federal funding. To learn more, visit www.rosiesplace.org.