By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Marlborough – The 25th Evening of Giving, in support of Roland’s House, the Marlborough-Hudson homeless shelter, will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road West.
The night will feature many of the city’s finest restaurants offering samplings of their signature dishes. A popular shrimp and raw bar, hosted by renowned local Chef Leon Roberge, will also once again be a highlight.
Music for listening and dancing pleasure will be provided by DJ Steve Woodward in the lounge and DJ Matt Rutting in the main ballroom.
The fundraiser was started by the late City Councilor Roland Simoneau in 1993 who was inspired to do so after a homeless man froze to death a few years earlier in Hudson. At that time, Simoneau convinced Marlborough city officials to open a shelter in the basement of the Walker Building on Main Street.
Several years later, the South Middlesex Opportunity Council offered to have the shelter relocate to its Mechanic Street, Marlborough location if funding could be found. Simoneau, along with several other volunteers, decided to hold a gala fundraiser to help finance the new location. The event has raised close to $35,000 each year and over $600,000 in total.
After Simoneau passed away in 2006, the shelter was renamed Roland’s House in his honor.
The funds are used to support the shelter in assisting homeless individuals, including many veterans, find their way back to the working world and achieve financial and emotional stability.
Tickets for the Evening of Giving are $30 each and $300 for a table of 10. Table reservations can be secured by seeing Bob Kays at the Prospector Bar and Grill, 20 Lincoln St., or by calling Paulina Lynch at 508-485-3741 or Madeline Dupuis at 508-485-5705.
The annual raffle will also be held with a first prize of $5,000, one $1,000 prize, and three $500 prizes. Only 300 tickets will be sold and are available for $50 each by contacting Kays, Lynch or Dupuis.