Celebrating 75 Years of Service at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts’ 25th Annual Big Night

L to R: BBBSEM President and CEO Mark O’Donnell, James J. Pallotta Award recipient Sheila White, and her 6 grandchildren with their Bigs/mentors. Photo Credit: ZJay Photography

It was an incredible evening! On Feb. 3, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) celebrated the power of youth mentoring at the agency’s 25th annual Big Night at the MGM Music Hall. The event paid tribute to our 75th anniversary of supporting youth with caring adult mentors across the region and featured historical nods to the seven decades of service. Guests danced the night away to music by headliner Billy Idol and special guests Flo Rida and Boston’s own French Lick.

The event raised more than $2.2 million to support our year-round community, site-based and campus-based programs. Mark O’Donnell, President and CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, spoke at the event and walked guests through the evolution of the nonprofit over the past 75 years.

During the event, Sheila White was honored with the James J. Pallotta Award, an award that represents leadership, partnership, and an unwavering passion to help young people achieve their fullest potential.

BBBSEM President and CEO Mark O’Donnell presenting James J. Pallotta Award to Sheila White. Photo Credit: ShoreShotz Photography

She expressed gratitude for BBBSEM as she shared more on her experience as a grandmother raising her six grandchildren with help from volunteer adult mentors in the organization’s signature community-based program.

Big Night is the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser. Since its inception in 1998, the event has raised more than $42 million to support one-to-one friendships between young people and adult mentors across the region.

Watch some of Big Night 2024 on NBC Boston and read more about in MassNonprofit News.

For more information, to become a volunteer or to register your children, visit: www.emassbigs.org.