Boston Winter Ball raises $1 million for Corey’s Kids

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors

More than 800 young professionals came together Feb. 9 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza for the 11th annual Boston Winter Ball to support the Corey C. Griffin Foundation.

“We are beyond thrilled to have raised $1 million for Corey’s Kids,” said Boston Winter Ball co-chair Dani DeMarco. “It is rare to come across a charity that helps so many different people, especially kids, in various ways.

“The beneficiaries of this charity are all well deserving children who have been faced with struggles in their lives, and to be able to bring so much to them through this fundraiser truly means the world to us as organizers.”

Two of those deserving children were honored at the event. Trevor N. and Maliya S. were each a recipient of the Corey C. Griffin Courage Award, given to a child or children who show courage in the face of adversity. Whether a significant challenge that was faced or something important that didn’t go according to plan, everyone, regardless of background, learns from facing adversity.

“Maliyah and Trevor are two unbelievable young people who both truly have a special gift of their own,” DeMarco said. “Maliyah, at just 10 years old, blew the entire room away with her poise and confidence. Trevor spoke eloquently and was so brave to share such a sentimental, emotional story with a large crowd. Both of these recipients deserved this award in their own special ways.”

Video portrait of Corey C Griffin Courage Award receipient, Maliyah. Awarded at the 2019 Boston Winter Ball.

Boston Winter Ball co-chair Mark Gormley was also impressed by both recipients, particularly Trevor.

“Trevor was incredibly articulate and mature,” Gormley said. “Hearing him share how he leads in the summer at camp, on the football field, on the court, and in school as he prepares for college was beyond impressive. I have no doubt that he has an incredibly bright future ahead.”

The Corey C. Griffin Foundation helps improve the lives of Boston-area children — lovingly known as “Corey’s Kids” — through partnerships with educational and healthcare institutions. The Foundation has raised millions of dollars to support the families of pediatric patients at Boston Children’s Hospital, provide scholarships to students at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, send underprivileged children to the Ron Burton Training Village, and much more.

The Boston Winter Ball is the biggest annual fundraising event for the Foundation. Now in its 11th year, the co-chairs work with a motivated committee to plan and fundraise. Over $5 million has been raised on behalf of different charities by committee members since the inception of the ball. Without exception these committee members are in their 20s and 30s and represent the mission of the Boston Winter Ball which is to instill philanthropy in the next generation of business leaders- in Boston and beyond.

“Having been an attendee and/or a committee member at Boston Winter Ball throughout the years,” DeMarco said, “it is really gratifying to know that every year it somehow seems to get better.”