Photos: Room to Grow Event

On May 5 at the Mandarin Oriental, nearly 150 Room to Grow supporters came together to celebrate mothers and their efforts to strengthen our community and create hope for bright futures. Attendees donated generously knowing that Room to Grow’s model works: 9 out of 10 babies in the program meet their developmental milestones on time, a nearly 20% increase over their low-income peers. With efforts underway for Room to Grow to double its impact in Boston over the next two years and expand to serve 600 families annually, the funds raised will help even more low-income families give their babies a strong, healthy, and secure start.

Special guests participated in a panel discussion, moderated by Jenna Pelletier, Food Editor of Boston magazine, on healthy eating and access to healthy food choices, a topic low income families struggle with as undeserved neighborhoods are too often food deserts, with limited access to full-service grocery stores. Gary Hirshberg, Chairman of Stonyfield Farm shared his perspective on the importance of healthy eating on long-term wellbeing. “Food is really preventative healthcare.” Cheryl Cronin, CEO of Boston Public Market and Maura McNamara, Wellness Consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts agreed, noting that healthy eating in childhood fosters brain development that results in healthier adults. Robyn Carter, Executive Director, expressed her gratitude to donors whose contributions will enable the organization to double its impact in Boston over the next two years. Robyn also thanked the people and organizations who helped make the celebratory breakfast possible including media sponsor Boston magazine, in-kind sponsor UPPAbaby, and event Leadership Council members Beth and James Athanasoulas of Concord, Daniel Frissell and Adam Slutsky of Boston, Annie Hildreth and Ted Potters of Weston, Giselle and Casey Nelson of Wellesley, Laura Tomasetti and David Beardsley of Boston, and C.A. Webb and Michael Davies of Cambridge.

Boston magazine’s Leah Palone, Reagan Driscoll and Lynne Montesanto / Photo by Art Illman Photography

Bridget Frissell, Danielle Frissell and Adam Slutsky (of Boston) / Photo by Art Illman Photography

Casey and Giselle Nelson (both of Wellesley), Jeff Hoffman (of Medfield) and Brooke Thurston (of Boston) / Photo by Art Illman Photography

Julie McVeigh (of Waltham), Maria Arabatzis (of Boston), Erica Neufeld (Boston Medical Center), Lynne Montesanto (Boston magazine) and CA Webb (of Cambridge) / Photo by Art Illman Photography

Panel Discussion with Gary Hirshberg, Chairman Stonyfield Farm; Cheryl Cronin, CEO Boston Public Market and Maura McNamara, Wellness Consultant, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA / Photo by Art Illman Photography