Boston, January 11, 2017 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, one of the nation’s leading one-to-one mentoring programs, today announced details of its annual Big Night cocktail party, concert and fundraiser. Big Night – The Wondrous World of Wonka will take place on Saturday, February 4 at the House of Blues Boston and will feature performances by Jason Derulo and Allen Stone. As one of Boston’s must-attend events and liveliest fundraisers, Big Night brings together the brightest dignitaries, biggest philanthropists and trendiest fashionistas for an upscale cocktail party and concert. The event has been consistently named “the party of the year” by the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.

While at the event, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay will be honoring Jeffrey A. Leerink of LEERINK Partners, LLC with the 8th Annual James J. Pallotta Award. The award recognizes individuals who have successfully engaged in supporting at-risk children and whose efforts have had significant impact in the community. Colin Mahony of Hewlett Packard, a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay board member who volunteered as a ‘Big’ throughout his adulthood, will also address the crowd as the event’s Mission Speaker.

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 12,000 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.

“Much bigger than an annual celebration, Big Night offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the more than 1,000 children currently on our waiting list to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister,” said Wendy Foster, CEO and president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. “As we approach our 18th Big Night, we remain grateful to our supporters whose generosity will help our organization reach more underserved youth and their families in Boston and well beyond the city limits, from Gloucester to Cape Cod. These donations will help ensure that every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life as we aim to serve a record 2,755 youth in FY 2017.”

• WHO: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay is one of the nation’s leading one-to-one mentoring programs, and the largest local mentoring organization which served 2,435 youth in 2016. The event will honor Jeffrey A. Leerink for his commitment to supporting at-risk children and passion for philanthropy which has had a significant impact in the greater Boston community.
• WHAT: The 18th annual Big Night cocktail party, concert and fundraiser is themed The Wondrous World of Wonka and the event is consistently named “the party of the year” by the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. This year’s event features performances by Jason Derulo and Allen Stone. The event includes a VIP cocktail hour from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. featuring a private acoustic performance by Allen Stone and backstage photo opportunities with Allen Stone or Jason Derulo. To learn more about Big Night or to purchase tickets, please visit www.bignightboston.com.
• WHERE: House of Blues Boston, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston, Mass.
•  WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. ET
• WHY: Since Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay’s inaugural Big Night in 1998, donations from the event have raised more than $30 million to help foster more than 12,000 one-on-one friendships between young people and adult mentors in Massachusetts. This generous support has allowed the agency to carry out its mission and continue to change the lives of children, making healthier families, better schools and stronger communities for all.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: There will be a press room on-site and Wendy Foster, CEO and president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, will be available for interviews. Please contact Nicole Metro at nmetro@v2comms.com to obtain a press pass and schedule interviews ahead of the event.

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 more than 2,400 youth 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. To learn more, visit www.bbbsmb.org

###

Media contact:
Jen Kaye
Version 2.0 Communications for Big Brothers Big Sisters Massachusetts Bay
jkaye@v2comms.com
617-426-2222