Shrewsbury’s Boisvert to receive prestigious BBBS award
photo/submitted
By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – Maurice “Moe” Boisvert of Shrewsbury will receive the Bob Cousy MVP Award at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass./Metrowest’s “A Night at the Races” benefit Saturday, April 6.
The Bob Cousy MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award was named after the Celtics and Holy Cross College legend who was one of the first Big Brothers for the agency. It is also the agency’s most prestigious award.
Boisvert was selected this year because of his long resume of community service both professionally and in his community of Shrewsbury.
“Moe really believes in the power of community services and Moe is one of my dearest mentors. He’s just a great guy to work with and learn from,” remarked Jeffrey Chin, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Chin is also a U.S. Naval Reserve Officer who was called into active service and deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in April 2018. A void needed to be filled temporarily.
Boisvert was the founding chief executive officer of You, Inc. Being retired, he offered to “hold down the fort” in Chin’s absence. It made a lot of sense because Boisvert knew the same people, he knew Worcester, and he had the time.
“We really want to acknowledge his efforts and put some attention to the fact that he did a tremendous job in my absence,” Chin noted.
The LAUNCH Innovation Award will also be presented at this event. This year’s recipient is the Worcester Police Department which was selected because of their partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters in launching the “Bigs in Blue” program – is a new initiative where children are matched with police officers as mentors.
The theme of this year’s event, “A Night at the Races,” is appropriate since the Kentucky Derby is just around the corner. Guests should dress accordingly as there will be prizes for the best hats.
The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, food stations and a cash bar. Guests will enjoy access to casino games, horse race betting, contests, live and silent auctions and a chance to mingle with friends.
The TJX Companies, Bob’s Discount Furniture, the Hanover Insurance Group Foundation and Avidia Bank are among the list of sponsors of this event.
Jackie Lyon, director of marketing and special events, stated that there are some exciting live and silent auction items. Of note is a Premiere MGM Vegas Package with a two-night stay at the Bellagio Las Vegas, two tickets to Cirque du Soleil and round-trip airfare courtesy of Jet Blue. Other items include Hanover Theatre packages and an Encore Casino Resort package.
“We are expecting anywhere between 250 and 300 guests and we are hoping to raise at least $150,000 through corporate sponsors. We are going big and we are really excited,” exclaimed Lyon.
The event will be held Saturday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the AC Hotel, 125 Front St., Worcester. There will be a VIP reception at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $100 per person and $250 per couple to attend the VIP Reception.
For information about tickets, sponsorships, to contribute to the auction or to volunteer, visit https://bbbscm.org/big-celebration or email [email protected].
