Donations will Allow Agency to Expand Community Mentoring Programs to At-risk Youth

Boston, February 8, 2016 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, one of the nation’s leading one-to-one mentoring programs, today announced that the agency received more than $2 million in donations at its annual Big Night cocktail party, concert and fundraiser. The money raised will help the agency expand and reach the more than 800 children on its waiting list, creating new one-on-one matches between young people and adult mentors in Massachusetts.

More than 1,000 of Boston’s leading dignitaries and philanthropists attended Big Night, which has been consistently named “the party of the year” by the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. Held on Saturday, February 6 at House of Blues Boston, the event was emceed by Karson, Kennedy and Salt, co-hosts of Mix 104.1’s morning show, and featured performances by Flo Rida and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

Josh and Anita Bekenstein were named recipients of the 7th Annual James J. Pallotta Award at the event, recognized for their continued commitment to supporting at-risk children and passion for philanthropy which has had a significant impact in the greater Boston community. Mike Gandy, a Harvard Business School student, who as a child was a ‘Little’ in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and has volunteered as a ‘Big’ throughout his adulthood, also addressed the crowd to share the impact his mentor had on his life.

“Following another successful Big Night, we are overwhelmed and grateful for the ongoing support from attendees. From their generous donations we are able to ensure that children in our community can receive the attention and care from positive adult role models that they need for healthy development and success in life,” said Wendy Foster, CEO and president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. “We are thrilled to announce that the funds raised at this year’s Big Night will help our agency reach the 800+ children on our waiting list, making a meaningful and lasting difference by bringing a Big Brother or Big Sister into their world.”

Since its first Big Night in 1998, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay has raised more than $30 million to help foster more than 10,000 one-on-one friendships between young people and adult mentors in Massachusetts. These donations have allowed the nearly 100 percent donor-supported agency to carry out its mission and continue to change the lives of children, making healthier families, better schools and stronger communities for all.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of 2,100 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay is working to ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Massachusetts Bay by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to

healthier families, better schools, brighter futures and stronger communities. For more information about this worthwhile cause and its important mission, visit bbbsmb.staging.wpengine.com.