The Third Annual Winter Gala in memory of the late Donny Higgins drew a crowd of more than 650 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 4th 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. ‘Friends of Donny Higgins Memorial Fund’ runs just one fundraiser per year and it’s considered by most who attend to be perhaps the biggest and best social event around.
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. For the price of a ticket, which were sold out well in advance, the crowd was entertained by ‘The Dueling Pianos’, ‘The World Premier Band and DJ Paul Duffley. From 7pm till 1am, the crowd was treated to fabulous food to go with that great entertainment. The ticket also got you into 11 raffles with fantastic prizes given out, including a $10,000 cash Grand Prize. Quite a bit of money 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 for this, the third Winter Gala. He said the following: “Myself 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. We want to sincerely thank all the people who turned out for the Gala and those who couldn’t be there in person but sent donations.” He went on to thank and to praise the fantastic job the Friends of Donny Higgins committee does, high among them Paul Kostas and Cathy Carter for all the worthy charities that their efforts are able to help.
Donny Higgins was a good man. He was a great son to his parents and brother to his siblings, a caring and loving family man to his own wife and children and an all-around good friend to everyone 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, and 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 great 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.
