Buona Sera Fundraiser Benefits Local NSC

By Phil Orlandella

State Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina joined other elected officials and celebrities at ABCD’s 5th annual Buona Sera (Good Evening) fundraiser to benefit the North End and West End needy.

A wine reception was held at Wilmer Hale, 60 State Street followed by a dinner provided by 15 gourmet North End restaurants.

North End resident Jen Royle, professional chef and former sports reporter, emceed the wine tasting program.

Five years ago, ABCD’s North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center located at 1 Michelangelo Street, launched the first evening with friends fundraiser which benefits low-income residents of these neighborhoods. This year’s event was sold out.

The Center mostly serves elderly residents on fixed incomes struggling to stay in the communities they have always called home as rents and cost of living rise around them.

This group of elderly visit the local Center for hot meals, a food pantry, health care assistance, translation services, housing assistance, fuel aid and more.

The Center also provides English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs for immigrant workers employed at various businesses throughout the North End/North End/Downtown restaurants, hotels, parking garages and other companies.

North End businesses that assisted were: Antico Forno, Aria Trattoria, Artu Boston, Bricco Ristorante, Cantina Italiana, LaFamiglia Giorgio’s, Gennaro’s 5 North Square, Lucia Ristorante, Prezza, Ristorante Euno, Ristorante Saraceno, Terramia, Vinoteca di Monica and Ward 8.

Wine reception sponsors Wilmer Hale for hosting the reception, local North End merchants Cirace Liquors and Hanover Wine and Liquors and the Gulla Group in Medford for generously donating the wine, and donors Anderson & Krieger, DiCicco Gulman & Company, Eagle Bank and Star Market Prudential.

            Celebrities that attended included Celtics Hall of Famer Satch Sanders, Bruins former star Rick Middleton, Converse CEO Jim Calhoun, BRA Director Brian Golden and Senator Sal DiDomenico.