Charity People

Let’s Get Ready Hosts 4th Annual New England ‘Join the Movement’ Benefit

Holbrook accepts award

Richard Holbrook accepts award

Boston – Let’s Get Ready, a groundbreaking organization that has provided free SAT preparation, admissions counseling, and other support services for over 22,000 lower-income high school students, hosted its 4th annual New England “Join the Movement” benefit on October 8 at the Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston. In addition to honoree Richard E. Holbrook, chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank, attendees included Susan Wornick, former WCVB-TV news anchor; Nakia Navarro, Let’s Get Ready New England regional director; and Donald Brennan, Let’s Get Ready ambassador and current Brown University student.

 

“We are very pleased with the success of our 4th annual fundraiser and are honored that over 300 guests were in attendance,” commented Navarro. “It is amazing to see our students and programs receive such a large amount of support from the community. Events like this help our participants receive the necessary educational and professional guidance they will need to achieve personal success in college and beyond.”

 

Notably, Richard Holbrook and Eastern Bank were honored for their continued contributions in support of the Let’s Get Ready mission. Eastern Bank currently donates 10% of its profits to charity and made a significant donation this year to Let’s Get Ready and its operations. As a result of this ongoing support, Holbrook was presented with the Community Leader Award in recognition of the positive impact he has made in these students’ lives.

 

“This year, through our targeted grant program, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation donated more than $1.5 million to organizations that support much-needed education programs for children,” said Holbrook. “Let’s Get Ready was one of those very deserving organizations for its efforts to support students in need.”

 

The festivities began at 6 p.m., providing guests with the opportunity to network and relax while enjoying delicious appetizers and cocktails. Following the opening hour, Wornick and Navarro delivered opening remarks, shared a Let’s Get Ready overview video, and introduced past program participants before engaging the crowd in the lively fundraising session. The fundraiser featured various donation opportunities including a “program auction,” raffle, and wine-pull. During the event, Let’s Get Ready also took the opportunity to display its new logo, celebrating the growth and expansion of the organization.

 

By the end of the evening, the foundation had been able to raise over $250,000 to fund new programs and further extend its reach in the New England region. The benefit was cosponsored by a number of well-known Boston-area firms including PricewaterhouseCoopers, EY, National Grid, McGladrey, Hill Holliday, State Street, and Nickerson.