Heart-warming generosity at Blackstone/Franklin Scholarship benefit

Tasty appetizers, cocktails, swinging jazz and fine local art created a warm, friendly atmosphere for over 100 guests at the pre-Valentine's Day Heart of Gold benefit last Thursday night at the Gold Gallery. The event which raised funds for the Blackstone/Franklin Squares Neighborhood Association's (B/FSNA) annual scholarship for South End residents attending college, raised $43,500 as of the following day, Friday, February 13, with additional donations pouring into B/FSNA by mail since. Attendees got to learn about and experience the benefits of the scholarships first-hand, as past recipients were present to meet supporters. Scholarship committee co-chairs Lisa Jenks and David Wisholek were pleased and surprised by the unsurpassed success of the event. Wisholek commented just after the event, "We are extremely happy and still in shock that we have raised $43,000, and more are coming in. It was an incredible evening and our scholarship fundraiser was a smashing success."
The benefit raised its impressive total through ticket sales, live and silent auctions and additional donations. Silent auction offerings were named for school subjects, such as a package titled Health Class 101, comprising sessions with Sadhana Yoga and al FreshCo; Teacher's Pet, a package from the Urban Hound Hotel and Polka Dog Bakery; and Physical Ed., including an autographed basketball and Celtics tickets. The live auction enticed bidders with a pair of grandstand tickets to a Red Sox-Yankees game, a wine and cheese tasting with delicacies from Formaggio South End and the Urban Grape, and a one-week stay in Provincetown during the July 4th week.
Abel Marcial, who was awarded a $2,000 scholarship in 2014, expressed gratitude for the support he has received from B/FSNA above and beyond the funds. "Receiving the B/FSNA scholarship meant a lot to me because the neighborhood association treats me very well, like a family. In fact, in addition to receiving the scholarship, I also got a job working with David Wisholek. I work Monday through Friday and I get Wednesdays off to do my school work and my volunteer work at Castle Square Tenants Organization." Marcial put the funds toward a new laptop, school supplies and tuition at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. "As of now I am studying computer engineering technology; however, I plan to switch to psychology. I am fascinated about the study of human behavior," he explained.
Fellow 2014 scholarship winner Cristian Pereira, a Shawmut Avenue resident who is studying Exercise Health Science at U. Mass. Boston, also bought a laptop with his $1,000 award. Pereira also expressed his gratitude for the funds. "To receive the scholarship meant so much because knowing I received an award just as much as the cost of a computer will open so much opportunity in the future, and it was an overall joyful moment," he said. Past recipient Matt Hull, a 2014 graduate of Berklee College of Music with a dual degree in Jazz Composition and Professional Music, performed with his trio against a backdrop of peaceful seascapes by Louise Lebourgeois, in ironic contrast to the mountains of snow outside the adjacent window.
In a written statement, Jenks summed up the celebratory atmosphere and the community purpose of the event: "Everyone was so friendly and eager to talk with each other. It feels good to live in a caring and generous place. Andrew Parthum's idea of reaching out to our youth by helping with college expenses is the best kind of community service." Former B/FSNA president Andrew Parthum, who started the scholarship program with a fundraiser in his home in 2006, mused, "Without David Wisholek and Christopher McBride's ideas and energy, the event would still be in my living room. Because of their efforts, the scholarship is able to raise more donations and reach more students." Wisholek said in a follow-up e-mail, "The committee members worked very hard to bring the community together to show the South End that BFSNA is an example for all about the commitment we have in supporting our students."