By Tiffany Williams –
The Worcester Red Sox announced Friday afternoon the 2nd Annual WooSox Foundation Honors Gala at Polar Park.
The Gala will be held on December 2, 2023 and Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, the Worcester Red Sox said will make his first visit to Polar Park as the featured special guest at the gala.
Breslow pitched for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2006 and 2007, was an International League All-Star both seasons, and was the PawSox Most Valuable Pitcher in 2007. He went on to pitch 12 Major League seasons, which included becoming a 2013 World Series champion with Boston.
For the past five years, Breslow has worked in the Chicago Cubs organization and most recently was Assistant General Manager/Senior Vice President, Pitching in 2023.
The gala, which is much like a holiday spectacular show for Worcester Red Sox, will begin at 5:30 with cocktails, dinner at 7:00 p.m. and also include the Worcester Red Sox said, “Special guest appearances, a behind the scenes look into the WooSox player experience, an exquisite dinner, silent and live auctions, community honors, music, and an afterparty in the acclaimed WooSox Clubhouse.”
The 2nd Annual WooSox Foundation Honors Gala will recognize community heroes Meghan Milonopoulos, posthumously (Education), Judi Kirk (Social Justice), Dr. Jonathan Gerber (Conquering Cancer), and Sean Rose (Diamond Sports).
In addition to Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, the Worcester Red Sox said Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione will return for his second year as MC of the event and he will be joined by Boston 25 News anchor Vanessa Welch.
Tables of ten are available for $2,000, and individual tickets are available for $250. The Worcester Red Sox said, “The proceeds of the event benefit the programming and initiatives of the four WooSox Foundation pillars: Education, Social Justice, Conquering Cancer, and Diamond Sports.”
The Worcester Red Sox said there are several ways for companies and individuals to get involved, and those interested can visit woosoxfoundation.org/honors.
Thanks to their generous supporters, in 2023, the WooSox Foundation has distributed over $350,000 in donations to their neighbors, including scholarships to deserving students.
The WooSox Foundation which was launched on January 28, 2020, in 2023 distributed over $350,000 in donations to local and regional organizations and programs like the Worcester County Food Bank, AIDS Project Worcester, Abby’s House and “Tyler’s Teammates”.
“Building on the success of the inaugural Honors Gala in 2022, which exclusively supported the WooSox Scholars Program, this year’s Gala will extend its impact beyond scholarships, and will benefit the programming of all four pillars,” Toe Worcester Red Sox said. “Funds will support initiatives like the Care-A-Van, presented by Bank of America, which delivers essential resources—hygiene supplies, food pantry donations, holiday gifts, and sporting equipment—to communities in need. The evening will also benefit Wellness Days at Polar Park, hosted in collaboration with Worcester Public Schools which have thus far benefited over 300 Worcester Public School students by allowing them to unplug from daily stresses and enjoy activities promoting the importance of mental and physical health.”
The Gala the Worcester Red Sox said will also raise funds for the “Tyler’s Teammates” a program which provides opportunities to play Diamond Sports for children in the region who may not otherwise have the resources for gloves, bats, balls, and registration fees. The Worcester Red Sox said, “The program honors the memory of Tyler Trudell, a baseball-loving Little Leaguer from the adjacent town of Paxton who peacefully passed away at age 13 just two days after the WooSox first game at Polar Park in 2021.”