Many Await Marlborough’s ‘Evening of Giving’ on Dec. 8

What started 22 years ago as a modest attempt to raise money for the homeless is today one of the biggest events in Marlborough’s social calendar. The ‘Evening of Giving’ was the concept of a small committee driven by late City Counselor Roland Simoneau. They were spurred to action by the story of a homeless man who froze to death in an abandoned car in Hudson. As a result a temporary shelter was set up in the basement of the Walker Building until SMOC stepped in to offer its premises at 57 Mechanic St. to house the Marlboro-Hudson Community Shelter.

And so began two decades of fundraising for the homeless. Roland Simoneau passed away in 2005 and at the Evening of Giving that year the Marlboro-Hudson shelter was renamed “Roland’s House” in his honor.

Restaurant owner Bob Kays who is one of the founding committee members recalled how at the first evening of giving held at the Holiday Inn where they expected a small turnout, 700 people showed up. Over the years the organizers had to use every available inch of space at the hotel to accommodate the growing food vendors and eager crowds. The event soon outgrew the Holiday Inn and was moved to the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel. Today the annual event draws over 1200 people and is eagerly anticipated.

The Evening of Giving has raised over half a million dollars through the years and those proceeds have helped improve the shelter through the addition of a new heating system, new windows, new floors, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling. The funds have also paid for food costs and maintain staffing levels necessary to effectively operate the shelter.

Among the approximately 30 restaurants, hotels, and caterers who participate in the annual event are: 109 Lakeside Pub, Assabet Valley Technical High School, Allora, Bella Cakes, Bertucci’s, Best Western Plaza Hotel, Buffet Way, Checkerboards, Chez Siam, Chipotle’s, China Garden, Christopher Heights, FISH, Courtyard by Marriott, Dino’s Trattoria, Drifty’s Wings, Embassy Suites, Firefly’s, Guiseppe's Grille, Halfway Café, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Horse Shoe Pub, Kennedy’s Market, Kennedy’s Pub, Lazy Dog, LongHorn Steakhouse, Marlborough Country Club, Marlboro House of Pizza, New Horizon's at Marlborough, Olive Garden, Piccadilly Pub, Price Chopper, Prospector East Saloon, Sergio's, Sorento’s Starbucks, Trombetta’s Creamery, Vin Bin, Welly’s, Wildwood Steakhouse and the Wayside Inn.

One of the big draws of the evening is the raw bar featuring hundreds of pounds of oysters, clams, and shrimp. Kays believes $3000 of shrimp alone was consumed last year. An exclusive raffle with only 300 tickets on sale, offers the chance to win a prize of $5,000.

For more information call Roland’s House at 508-481-7847

Date: December 8, 2011, at 7 p.m.
Cost: $30 per person
Venue: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel