Winter Gala in Memory of Donny Higgins, Success!
The Second Annual Winter Gala in memory of the late Donny Higgins drew a crowd of more than 500 people last Saturday night. The event was such a big success and a wonderful evening that plans are already being discussed for next year’s 3rd annual. And it was no surprise that there was such an enthusiastic turnout to honor the memory of a truly great person. Just to know Donny Higgins was to call him friend. This event was organized by ‘Friends of Donny Higgins’ who work hard keeping the memory of their cherished friend alive so that dozens of worthy charities may benefit.
The gala was held at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel’s ballroom. All tickets were sold in advance and they were bought up quickly. In addition to honoring the memory of this great man, fun was the theme of the evening as the crowd was entertained by ‘North Shore Acapella’ and the ‘Decades by Dezyne’ band. For three hours, the crowd was treated to fabulous food and drink to go with the great entertainment and 18 fantastic raffle prizes were given out, including a $10,000 cash Grand Prize, which was won by Jacky Woods.
More than $106,000 dollars was raised which will be distributed to many Boston area youth sports organizations, for both boys and girls. Among the South Boston groups that receive donations from the money raised are the Harry McDonough Sailing Center, South Boston Youth Hockey, the Tynan and Condon Community after school programs and many more. Practically every sport from boxing to girls’ softball benefits from this dedicated organization.
South Boston Today spoke with Billy Higgins Jr., Donny’s brother and asked what his reaction was to the massive turnout in honor of Donny’s memory. He said the following: “My self and the entire Higgins family are overwhelmed, humbled and forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support that continues to be shown for Donny.” He went on to thank and to praise the fantastic job the Friends of Donny Higgins committee does, among them Paul Kostas, Cathy Carter and Jayne Costello for all the worthy charities that their efforts are able to help.
Donny Higgins was such a good guy. A great son to his parents and brother to his siblings, a caring and loving family man to his to his own wife and children and an all-around good friend to all who had the honor and pleasure to know him. He was a dedicated part of the community, whose continuing efforts on behalf of his neighborhood helped many. The street hockey rink on Farragut Rd., which Don worked hard and lobbied extensively to make possible, which today bears his name was just one result of all the work he did on behalf of others in his continuing efforts to make everyone’s life just that much better. He inspired countless people with his positive, upbeat attitude and welcoming smile. It is a fitting tribute to the memory of this good man who was taken at much too young an age that he is remembered so fondly by so many and will continue to be forever.
