History of the Cheers Boston "Cheers for Children" Holiday Auction & Party
In 1980, Bull & Finch bartender, Eddie Doyle, and then manager, John Grasso, had both read a story written by Boston Globe reporter, Doug Crockett, about two brothers in their early teens trying to keep food on the table for their younger brothers and sisters. Their prospects of a dreary Christmas were suddenly brightened by a visit from the "Globe Santa". Doyle and Grasso decided to organize a fund-raiser to help the efforts of this worthy charity. With the help of their staff and friends, the "Auction" was born.
"Gimme ten bucks for the kids and Ill give you a shot of Schnapps", said Doyle, as he went from one patron to another. Grasso got the crowd bidding feverishly on a handful of items. The first donation to Globe Santa was $570. Each year they became more organized, the crowds got bigger and the totals increased by the thousands.
Today, the "Cheers for Children" Holiday Auction is organized by a committee made up of volunteer staff and friends. Sports celebrities jump behind the bar to help out where they can and Matt Siegel from "KISS-108" has brought down the gavel for many years as our Auctioneer, "par excellence".
In addition to the "Globe Santa", three other charities have become associated with activities at the Pub and Hampshire House, and were added as beneficiaries of the Auction. They are The Jimmy Fund, Friends of Floating Hospital and, most recently, The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care (Neely House).
Whether you are someone who has generously donated an auction item, or would like to enjoy the festivities, we hope you will join us for this special annual event.
"Cheers for Children", a fund raising activity of Kershaw Foundation Charitable Trust, is an opportunity to come together, be close with others, and make a difference.
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