Nearly 200 guests were on hand Wednesday when “Garlands and Green: A Holiday Gathering” returned to Hampshire House.
Thomas A. Kershaw, owner of the Hampshire House Corporation, sponsors the annual party for the Beacon Hill Civic Association, which helps the organization defray about one-half of the $12,000 needed to adorn 1,100 lamp-posts in the neighborhood with laurel garlands and red bows. (The remaining funds come from individual sponsorships of lamp-posts).
“We want to thank Tom Kershaw for generously sponsoring this event again this year,” said MaryLee Halpin, executive director of the Civic Association. “ It’s such a critical part of the fundraising efforts that enable the Civic Association to pay for the transformation of 1,100 lamp-posts throughout the neighborhood during the holiday season.”
Kershaw said, “I’m glad to have a facility where we can hold an event that raises a good amount of the money needed for the decorations, and I expect to be hosting the event for many years to come.”
In regard to the tradition of decorating lamp-posts on Beacon Hill, Kershaw said, “It’s very exciting and brings everyone in neighborhood together for common cause.”
This year’s event featured a drawing of more than 20 items donated by local merchants and supporters of the Civic Association, which included Boston Bruins and Celtics tickets, an overnight stay in one of the Liberty Hotel’s grand-deluxe rooms with city views and tickets to the Beacon Hill Garden Club’s 2015 “Hidden Garden” tour, among other offerings.
To sign up to help the Civic Association decorate the neighborhood’s lamp-posts on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, visit www.bhcivic.org.