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3-20-2022 4:31am
Westwood Community Chest Invites Community to Support Neighbors, Celebrate Spring at In-Person Gala
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Westwood Community Chest (WCC) invites residents and supporters to put winter behind them and celebrate spring with neighbors and community members at its upcoming Gala of Giving on Sunday, April 3, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Chiara Bistro. The social event and fundraiser is an opportunity to come out of hibernation, with masks being optional, and break out the glitz. The dress code has been described as “business casual to upscale.”
Event co-chairs Stacie Reiser and Kim Chase, along with the entire WCC Board, have been planning the event since last September. The two co-chairs have worked together for consecutive years on this annual event, and say they have a good synergy. Each year they try to add something new and interesting, while also continuing WCC’s annual tradition of partnering with local supporters and businesses that contribute to the event with donations, goods, and services. The contributions support WCC’s goal of raising money to fund financial crisis grants and summer camp scholarships for Westwood residents who may be experiencing financial difficulty.
Roche Bros., a long-time Premier Sponsor of the event, is contributing fine wine to be paired with tastes of Spain and Italy, prepared in the Chiara Bistro kitchen. Three wine selections will be paired with three taste selections at a Spanish station and an Italian station, for a total of six pairings.
There will be a return of the wine-pull, an activity in which participants pay $25 in exchange for the chance to pull bottle of wine, some donated by Larkin Liquors. The bottle could end up being a $20 bottle or a $50 bottle.
Also returning is the traditional raffle that typically features an in-demand, item of the moment. This year’s items are a Solo Bonfire stove and RTIC cooler.
On what’s different this year, the event is now being held on Sunday instead of a Monday. Sunday seems like an easier, more approachable day, the event planners say.
Additionally, a new activity will be the Diamond Draw. Hefez & Sons Jewelers is donating a pair of diamond earrings worth $1,000, and participants of the draw will pay $25 for a chance to win them. There will be one lucky winner of genuine diamond earrings, and everyone else will take home a pair of cubic zirconia earrings.
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There will also be an online silent auction. Items include a Bruins package that includes two tickets in Loge seats, access to the private club, Legends and round-trip transportation provided by United Private Car; a Bostonian spa package with a stay at The Lenox Hotel along with a G2O spa gift certificate and basket; a weekend getaway to RiverWalk Resort at Loon; and a guitar with the printed signatures of all Aerosmith band members.
Live music will be provided by a DJ, a local mom. Local photographer Rick Berns will be donating his photography services to the event.
Says Ms. Chase, “It’s been nice to meet other people in town and make friends. It’s great - I love it. It’s a lot of on-foot stuff, going to meet people. . . .When it gets close to the event, it’s details, like picking cool raffle items every year.”
Regarding what the two planners are most looking forward to this year, Ms. Chase says, “Everything coming together for the one night is really exciting. Once the hard work is done, to enjoy everyone coming. . .the neighbors coming together to celebrate.”
“I’m just excited to have a live, in-person event,” says Ms. Reiser. She remembers a time in the pandemic when events were getting cancelled and everything was moving online. That’s what happened to last year’s Gala. She’s looking forward, as many must be as well, to celebrating what may be finally turning the corner.
For more information about this event and ticketing, visit https://westwoodcommunitychest.org/event/
