The Friends of the Public Garden and Taj Boston will host the annual Green and White Ball on Friday, April 29, in the Taj Boston ballroom. This black tie and fabulously fashionable event will feature a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, a jazz trio and dancing with DJ Kupah James.
This year’s co-chairs – Beacon Hill residents Susan Boney, Renee Skeffington and Kerry Swords, Back Bay resident Jennifer Dolins, and Fiona Benenson of Brookline – have lead a dedicated committee to help orchestrate this annual event, which raises funds to provide care for the Boston Common, Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Honorary co-chairs are Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Brooke, and Mr. and Mrs. William F. Achtmeyer.
Of this year’s proceeds, $250,000 will be dedicated to the creation of the Henry and Joan Lee Sculpture Endowment in honor of the Lee’s legacy of commitment to the parks and their sculpture. The fund’s mission will be to provide for the long-term care for 42 pieces of public art in the Common, Garden and the Mall, the largest concentration of outdoor public art in the city.
Annual care of the sculptures, tablets, plaques and fountains includes a regular cycle of cleaning and repairing graffiti damage, as well as conservation and restoration as needed. Regular care and cleaning is expensive but necessary in order to avoid more costly restoration work in the future. The Friends spends an average of $100,000 a year on sculpture care to ensure this significant collection is maintained in excellent condition.
“Each year, the Green and White Ball is a lovely chance to get together and appreciate the beauty of our parks and the hard work of the Friends of the Public Garden,” said co-chair and Beacon Hill resident Kerry Swords. “These public spaces are such a vital part of our lives and our families – we’re very grateful for the continued support!”
Thanks to the generosity of last year’s ball guests, the 2015 Green and White Ball raised $500,000, which was allocated to provide critical funds for park stewardship, the most essential element of the Friends’ efforts that ensures all of the 1,700 trees and 42 pieces of public art and newly restored turf areas in the Boston Common, Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall are maintained.
The Friends works in partnership with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and spends 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 Friends conducts major improvement projects like the $4 million renovation of the Brewer Fountain Plaza on Boston Common and the upcoming restoration of the George Robert White Memorial fountain in the Garden. The Friends also encourages citizen advocacy, speaking out for protection against park misuse and encroachment, and sponsors educational park programs and family events. For more information about the Green and White Ball, visit www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org or call (617)723-8144 or write [email protected].