By Tiffany Williams –
The Worcester Red Sox, the proud Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, made an exciting announcement on Thursday: the highly anticipated “WooSox Foundation Honors” gala will make its grand return to Polar Park on December 7, 2024.
This iconic evening has quickly become a cherished annual tradition, serving as the largest fundraiser for the WooSox Foundation and the premier social event of the year for the Worcester community. The gala aims to honor remarkable local heroes in various fields, including Education, Social Justice, Conquering Cancer, and Diamond Sports.
All proceeds from the “WooSox Foundation Honors” gala will directly support the programming and initiatives of the WooSox Foundation, enhancing its mission to uplift and empower the community.
Reflecting on the previous events, the inaugural WooSox Foundation Honors gala in 2022 recognized the invaluable contributions of Former Worcester School Superintendent Maureen Binienda, now a member of the Worcester School Committee and Interim Superintendent of Easthampton Public Schools. The event also celebrated Tim Garvin from the United Way of Central Massachusetts, who was honored for his commitment to social justice. Pediatric oncologist Dr. Peter Newberger received recognition for his work in conquering cancer, and Red Sox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman was celebrated for his contributions to Diamond Sports.
The following year, the second annual WooSox Foundation Honors gala in 2023 honored the late Meghan Milonopoulos for her contributions to education, while Judi Kirk was celebrated for her social justice advocacy. Dr. Jonathan Gerber was recognized for his tireless efforts in battling cancer, and former Worcester District 1 City Councilor Sean Rose was acknowledged for his impact on Diamond Sports.
This year, on December 7th, the third annual gala promises to be just as inspiring. Attendees will witness Maura Mahoney receiving the Education honor, Julie Bowditch being celebrated for Social Justice, Dr. Lee Nadler honored for his work in Conquering Cancer, and Worcester District 4 City Councilor Luis Ojeda recognized for his contributions to Diamond Sports.
Additionally, a special lifetime achievement award will be presented to the beloved Joe Castiglione, who concluded his remarkable broadcasting career after the 2024 season, having been the iconic voice of the Boston Red Sox for an impressive 42 years.
The festivities will commence at Polar Park in Worcester’s vibrant Canal District. The doors will open at 5:00 PM, followed by a cocktail hour starting at 5:30 PM. Guests will enjoy a sumptuous dinner at 7:00 PM, during which the evening’s honorees will receive their well-deserved accolades.
After dinner and the awards ceremony, guests are invited to continue the celebration at the WooSox Clubhouse for an exhilarating after-party. This gathering provides a unique opportunity to get a sneak peek at the forthcoming “WooCages,” innovative twin batting cages located on Madison Street, designated for players’ use. Gala attendees will be among the first to swing a bat in these new facilities.
Throughout the evening, the WooSox Foundation will host both a silent and live auction, featuring an enticing offering: the chance to “Be a WooSox Player for a Day.” This exclusive experience includes a complete WooSox uniform to keep, the chance to work out on the field with players before a game, throw a ceremonial first pitch, participate in a television broadcast from the NESN booth, and enjoy four front-row seats for that night’s game.
The evening will be expertly emceed by Tom Caron, the well-known host of the New England Sports Network’s (NESN) coverage of the Red Sox, including their pre-game and post-game shows. Notably, on August 14, 2024, Caron was appointed co-chairman of the Jimmy Fund, a role previously held by the late Red Sox Hall of Famer and WooSox Chairman Larry Lucchino until his passing in April.
Tables for ten are available for $2,500, and individual tickets can be purchased for $250.
To learn more about this spectacular evening or to secure your tickets, please visit woosoxfoundation.org/honors.
For added convenience, complimentary valet parking will be offered on Washington Street, right near Polar Park’s Gate C entrance.