2015 Green and White Ball Co-Chairs Alexis Egan, Annsley McAleer, Kerry Swords, Jennifer Dolins and Renee Skeffington.
The Friends of the Public Garden and Taj Boston will host the annual Green and White Ball on Friday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Taj Boston ballroom.
The annual event raises funds to provide care for the Boston Common, Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall, which has been the mission of the Friends since its inception 45 years ago. The black-tie evening will feature a cocktail reception, seated dinner, jazz trio and dancing with DJ Felix Cutillo.
Honorary co-chairs are Mrs. Peter A. Brooke, Mrs. Eugene Doggett and Mrs. Amos B. Hostetter Jr. This year’s co-chairs are Jennifer Dolins, Alexis Egan, Annsley McAleer, Renee Skeffington and Kerry Swords, who lead a dedicated committee of 30, mostly Boston residents.
In 2014, the Green and White Ball was attended by 250 guests and raised $400,000. A portion of the funds raised was allocated to the restoration of the George Robert White Memorial Fountain, located in the Public Garden near the corner of Beacon and Arlington streets.
Proceeds from this year’s Ball will provide critical funds for park stewardship, a most essential element of the Friends’ efforts that ensures all of the 1,700 trees and more than 40 pieces of public art and newly restored turf areas in the Boston Common, Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall are maintained.
The Friends work in collaboration with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department and spend more than $1 million each year to ensure that the critical natural and structural features of these parks receive the vital care that they need. The group conducts major improvement projects like the $4 million renovation of the Brewer Fountain Plaza on Boston Common. The Friends also encourages citizen advocacy, speaking out for protection against park misuse and encroachment, and sponsors educational park programs and family events.
For tickets and more information about the Green and White Ball, visit www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.