GOAL's Boston Ball Raises $300,000 For Charity

The 3rd Annual GOAL Boston Ball on Friday March 6th, at the Westin Copley, proved to be a tremendous night with a net total of $300,000 raised for the poorest of the poor.

GOAL USA hosted 450 guests at the black tie event who enjoyed a cocktail reception, a three course meal, live and silent auctions, music and dancing.

Organizers at GOAL were overwhelmed with the support shown by Bostonians, given the current economic climate.

"We are delighted at the amount actually raised, given the tough times we are all facing," GOAL CEO John O'Shea said, "With the funds raised at the ball we will be able to bring vital relief to some of the world's most vulnerable people.

"The efforts of all those at the Boston Ball will allow us to continue providing the basic rights and needs of life; food, water, health, education and shelter to the poor across the Developing World. Thanks to everyone who made the ball such a success."

Angela Dean, Head of GOAL USA emceed the evening, with GOAL Boston Board chairman Aidan Browne introducing a Q and A session between the Globe columnist Kevin Cullen and the world record breaking ultra-marathon runner Richard Donovan. Richard recently completed the astonishing feat of running seven marathons on seven continents in less than six days.

He dedicated his record breaking challenge to raising awareness for GOAL's work in Darfur.

Keynote Speaker Maura Lennon, who has been with GOAL for 24 years, spoke of her experiences at the forefront of some of the world's most devastating disasters including the Ethiopian famine of 1984, Rwanda in the aftermath of the '94 genocide and post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia to name just a few.

GOAL Boston guests listened intently to some of the tragic, but also heart-warming and inspiring accounts of Maura's experiences working at the frontline of GOAL.

The special project, where guests have the chance to pledge directly to a project in an auction style round of bidding, was building houses for HIV/AIDS affected orphans and vulnerable families in the Uganda.

With 50 guests bidding, enough money was raised to construct 12 houses, providing shelter, protection and the means to obtain education and livelihoods for vulnerable children.