Has Spring fever got you achin’ to spiff up and throw on your festive frock wear and sport coat?  Well, you’re in luck!  The United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley Emerging Leaders are hosting their 4th annual spring charity gala on May 21.   You might be thinking “gala shmala,” but “A Night at the Museum” is not your run-of-the-mill charity event, hosted by hoity-toity old folks; this bash is put on by the Emerging Leaders young professionals, a group of 21-40 year old happenin’ cats that know how to put on a good party!

Enjoy live music, dancing, passed hors d’oeuvres and most importantly, a 2-hour open bar with beer and wine galore!  Dare we mention the swag bag you get upon arrival?  If you’re a competitive type, you’ll especially enjoy the silent auction, featuring hot-ticket items generously donated by local businesses and supporters.

Come for a night of socializing and networking, and some feel-good stories from local teens affiliated with the United Way’s youth initiatives that are helping change the face of their community.

All proceeds go from the eve go directly to the programs that support the United Way’s vision to empower local youth to realize their goals today and prepare them to excel in the 21st century.

“A Night at the Museum,” Emerging Leaders 4^th Annual Spring Gala

Saturday, May 21

7-11 p.m.

Tickets: $85 in advance; $100 at the door

To order: http://el.supportunitedway.org/gala11

Festive attire suggested

GP for Child’s Play (GP4CP.org) a Boston based charity organization will host its second annual fund raising event on Saturday at the Microsoft New England Research & Development Center from 7-11 p.m. in Cambridge. 

Last year, the event met the $2,000 fund raising goals set by the organizers, confirming its status as an annual event.  For 2010, the organizers have already beat their goal of $3000.

GP4CP.org organizes the event around various games and gaming systems as a nod to the charity Child’s Play, the focus of the fundraising efforts. Child’s Play is a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of over 60 hospitals worldwide. In five years the charity has raised millions of dollars around the world.

Sponsors of the event include Microsoft New England Research & Development Center, Turbine, Boston Post Mortem, and us, here at Blast Magazine. 

“Last year’s event was such a success, and we were so thankful for everyone involved,” said Jeremy Monken co-founder of GP4CP.org. “The gaming community came together in a big way for a great cause, and we cannot wait to see what we are capable of this year.”

The idea for the event began in 2009, when Shaun Greene and Monken began working in the video game industry as game designers for Muzzy Lane Software. Monken and Greene, along with their friends Annmarie Latta and Geoff Anderson, had all been fans of Child’s Play for a while and wanted to do their part.

“Originally, we were just going to throw a party at our house with some friends,” said Anderson. “Within a month, the event had snowballed into a big game night fundraising event at the Microsoft New England R&D Lounge and we ended up raising $2,000.”

The fundraiser feature donations of time, money, food, and raffle prizes by various local organizations including Harmonix, Fire Hose Games and Demiurge, as well as donations from other businesses such as Warner Bros. Games, Electronic Arts, ThinkGeek, Bethesda Softworks, and The Bartending Service of New England.

“Child’s Play is a fantastic charity, donating time and raising money for children’s hospitals around the world,” said co-founder of GP4CP.org, Annmarie Latta. “We were honored to be able to help in any way, and are proud to be a part of everything Child’s Play has accomplished.”

For more information please visit: http://www.gp4cp.org/

This year marks the 22nd year of one of Boston’s most exciting musical festivities, Steppin’ Out, a fundraising and gala event.

Based on Boston’s rich musical history (Boston boasts one of the oldest choral companies in the United States, and one of the most acoustically exact concert halls in the world), Steppin’ Out focuses on the city’s tradition of jazz. Past headliners of the event include famed percussionist Tito Puente (2007), jazz and R&B singer Roberta Flack (2003), and contemporary R&B singer Lalah Hathaway (2008).

This year will bring as many as 20 musicians to feature the talent of local and national artists. Included with the amazing evening of music is dinner, community and corporate awards, and an evening of socializing. Last year nearly 3,000 music lovers and community supporters came out to the event for the Dimock Center.

The Dimock Center, which the Steppin’ Out event benefits, was originally founded in 1862 as the New England Hospital for Women and Children and is considered a National Historic Landmark. It holds nine acres in Roxbury in order to deliver sincere care for over 46,000 patients and clients in its Health Center alone each year. The Center offers services ranging from health screenings, immunizations, women’s health, HIV/AIDS services and more.

Steppin’ Out provides the Dimock Center with funding that is vital to maintaining the center’s outstanding service.

Ruth Ellen Fitch, President and CEO of the Dimock Center, began work at the center in August of 2004, and was previously practicing law with Palmer & Dodge LLP. There she became the first Black female partner at a large Boston law firm.

Before practicing law, Fitch was Director of the METCO program for the Brookline Public Schools and taught at University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has contributed to the community as serving as a member of the Board of the Boston Public Health Commission, Director of Health Law Advocates and as a Director of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau. Now she continues to provide in the health field at the Dimock Center, whose vision is a healthy community, and whose mission is to "commit to enhance the quality of life of each individual (they) serve".

The Dimock Center has announced this year’s Honorary Chairs for Steppin’ Out as Governor Deval L. Patrick and First Lady Diane B. Patrick, with the Gala Chair being Clayton H. W. Turnbull (The Waldwin Group, Founder and CEO).

The event will take place November 7 at The Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.

To purchase tickets online, click here.

RANDOLPH — On May 13, Blast was privileged to sponsor and attend a fundraiser fashion show for Friendship Home, a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Massachusetts-based Friendship Home held its fashion show at The Lantana in Randolph. It was truly a unique and heart-warming event.

For more information, or to help out, visit FriendshipHome.net.

Media credit: Katie Tello for Blast