Marketing firm makes history in funding 100 wishes
WESTBOROUGH _ PENTA Communications, Inc., made history for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts on Saturday evening, September 29, 2007 with the funding of over 100 wishes for children faced with life-threatening medical conditions in the state of Massachusetts.
PENTA has raised nearly $700,000 to benefit Make-A-Wish through the efforts of a Black Tie Dinner Gala and Auction bringing its clients, partners and friends together to help the marketing firm with its mission to support the funding of wishes.
“The PENTA Gala has grown into a true must-attend social event,” said Joanne Spellane of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “And more importantly, because of its incredible success, it is one of the most significant community events that benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts. I applaud Deborah Penta and her team for their incredible dedication and commitment to the success of this event.”
The PENTA Communications Gala filled Mechanic’s Hall in Worcester with guests from Massachusetts and many who traveled from other states, to participate in the firm’s quest to reach a milestone for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“We are blessed to benefit from the incredible generosity of a community of friends who care enough to help and support our mission of funding more wishes for children,” said Deborah Penta, CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc. “We believe in the power of a wish and are proud to support an organization that gives 80 percent of every dollar raised to the children it serves.”
“The PENTA Gala plays a significant role in the foundation’s overall wish-granting,” said Joanne Spellane. “In our 2007 program year, Make-A-Wish set a new record, fulfilling wishes for 327 children across the state. Leadership supporters like PENTA Communications, Inc. provided the funds needed to create history.”
“For every wish granted, a child is given the chance to leave their illness behind,” Spellane said. “And, for a sick child, that chance is a lifesaving gift.”
Dr. Christina Ullrich, a pediatric oncologist from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Children’s Hospital Boston spoke on the positive impact a wish experience has on her patients. She shared several stories of how children responded better to their treatment after a wish has been granted.
“I consider Make-A-Wish to be an important part of the treatment,” Ullrich said.
Deborah Penta has many people to thank for helping the firm accomplish its mission for the foundation, including over 100 businesses and organizations that donated to the silent and live auction, and to those that provided support through table purchases and made significant in-kind contributions. PENTA’s live auction included trips to Tuscany, France, the Caribbean, resort destinations, very rare sports memorabilia, experiential and fantasy packages. Penta offered special thanks to the Boston Red Sox and the Red Sox Foundation for their generous donation of a Spring Training experience in Fort Myers for a young girl or boy in the 2008 season.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your continued loyalty, generosity and support, “Penta said. “We couldn’t do this without all of you and we are grateful that you have chosen to help us with our mission.”
“My father used to tell me that little acorns grow into mighty oaks,” Penta said. “The little acorn we planted a few years ago turns into a mighty oak tonight with over 100 glorious branches.”
PENTA Communications, Inc. looks forward to setting another significant milestone for its next Gala.
“We believe that all children should feel joy, peace and happiness and most especially during times of sickness. If we can continue helping Make-A-Wish share the power of a wish with hundreds of more children, we will help more children believe that wishes really do come true,” Penta said.