A Community's Participation in MollyB's Birthday Gala

MollyB’s 21st Birthday Gala

The Inaugural MollyB Foundation Fundraising Gala has begun it’s journey. In the wake of her death, Molly’s friends, teachers and family staggered through life a bit stunned. Three years into it and Gracie was turning 18. Molly would have been 16. Driving with Gracie in her car was part of Molly’s birthday wish to Gracie when she turned 15. Six months until that learners permit, a year to teen aged independence.

They never made it to those dreams.

We threw a Sweet 16 for her which was all about remembering Molly and how life was with her in it. Well over 350 people showed up. Probably more. It is a night I will never forget. We sang and danced and ate and drank and simply celebrated having known her. I told the crowd that night that I would throw her a 21st when that time arrived.

And so I did.

The passage of time changes things, however, and many of the guests, donors and sponsors never met Molly. You can’t reminisce about someone you never met. There is no remembering someone who was never a part of your life. The reality of MollyB is no longer aching for this all to be a nightmare that we might one day wake up from, it is now about all that has been done in her name, through her foundation, for young people who are still very much here, and who very much know all about Molly.

Although we were celebrating her 21st birthday, it was really a celebration of her foundation and all that it has done and will one day do. It was an announcement of sorts. In the quiet storm of the last eight years, the MollyB Foundation has given almost $250,000 to local children, dance and theater programs, music programs and families. Through scholarships, tuition assistance, t-shirts, awards, musical instruments, travel assistance, and sponsorships, Molly has solidified the availability of theater music and dance opportunities for those who want to take part.

The MollyB Foundation (First Ever) Fundraising Gala has commenced.

As a new non-profit with a relatively inexperienced board this was no small task. While I did a fair amount of the planning and leg work, Bethany Judge pulled all the visual information together so we could advertise this shindig. Much of the pre planning was done by us. Everyone managed to get sponsors to defray the cost of the party.

Our sponsors were varied and supportive. Like dance competitions, our sponsorship levels were Crystal, Double Platinum and Platinum.

Delta Dental was our lone Crystal Sponsor. A familiar name in sponsorship, this Dental Insurance Company is committed to giving. It is an honor to be among those groups supported by this locally situated company. Waters Funeral Home and Performance Ensemble Group were our two Double Platinum sponsors. While Water’s is a well-established local business (who’s owners have close connections to Molly) PEG’s funds came from three nights of a bake sale at their spring performance.

All three of these sponsorships put a lump in my throat.

Our Platinum Sponsors were many and varied.

CrossFit Amesbury and Amoskeag CrossFit raised money for the Gala through participation in a memorial workout for Molly.

RB Productions, The Community Players and Concord Dance Academy sponsored the event and sent their people along to have fun.

Jon Farwell from KWMetropolitan was a sponsor. A longtime friend and CrossFit connection in my life his presence was extremely meaningful.

Jenn Hunger and The Rachel Hunger Foundation sponsored Molly’s party. This foundation also provided allergy free cupcakes for guests, bringing in a little Rachel Love to the event.

And finally, Henry Szumiesz, Joe and Bonnie Larochelle, and Jordyn Pinto & Family stepped in to sponsor the event. Friends and Family of Molly doing their part to keep her legacy alive and support this new foundation.

All together these sponsorships totaled $5600.00. They also brought 130 people to the event with their tickets. Local businesses and even other non-profits supporting one another in our efforts to provide all children who desire to, an experience in the performing arts.

Well known DJ Nazzy donated a photo booth experience and DJ Billy Thompson provided the tunes.

Alan’s Restaurant, Constantly Pizza, and Queen City Cupcakes provided the eats.

Michaela Lui, a dance mom extraordinaire created beautiful MollyB Tumblers which served as vases for our gift card bouquets that we raffled off. Molly’s dad Kenny spent three days navigating the streets of Concord collecting close to $1000 in gift cards. From a Brothers Cortado coffee/muffin to a foursome for 18 holes of golf at Loudon Country Club, our local businesses step up. Many of the people in those places knew of or remembered Molly.

I will list them at the bottom of this article.

As a mother I do not like that the fact that I am able to function without Molly. It feels like I am letting her down. I also know that to continue mothering her I must carry one and continue to support her purpose, which was to make people happy.

I may not be raising a lot of money yet, or running a perfect party, but I am taking one tiny step as a time in what I hope will be a meaningful journey toward a successful foundation. It takes a village, as well as a community willing to take part through monetary support or donations of goods and services. Molly’s Gala had both.

The Capitol Center for the Arts is a place Molly (and Gracie) loved. I see it as the home of many things Molly in the years to come. Please check out the MollyB Foundation Website and visit us on social media. There are several upcoming events connected to The MollyB Foundation, including Barb’s Track Camp in June and Theater in the Park in August.

Sign up for something, sponsor something, help out at something, or ask for help! Molly would appreciate all of it, and so would her foundation.

Raffle Items

Things to do Coffee Shops

Four tickets to Charlotte’s Web ($50 value) Dunks ($10)

18 holes of golf at Loudon Country Club ($65) Dunks ($20)

Foursome 18 holes at Beaver Meadow ($210) Tea Totallers Café ($20)

Strive Cycling 5 classes ($125) The Works Café ($25)

McAuliffe Discovery Center ($60) 4 passes Starbucks ($10)

Boutwells ($40) Brothers Cortado ($10)

Four RB Gift Cards for family of 4 Aroma Joes ($20)

Restaurants

Texas Road House ($40) Stores

Dos Amigos ($20) Joe Kings Shoe Shop ($25)

Constantly Pizza ($20) Paper Store ($20)

Washington Street Café ($20) BAM ($25) from The Hardisters

Friendly’s Restaurant ($15) Granite State Natural Foods ($20)

Windmill Restaurant ($25) Gibsons Book Store ($10)

Common Man Restaurant ($25) Concord Beef and Seafood ($25)

Cheers ($50)

Scratch Tickets Items

One Bouquet So Danca Tap Shoes ($150)

Beer Sunglasses ($100)

Feathered Friends Brewing Company ($25)

Lithermans ($20)

Concord Craft Brewing ($20)