(previous)
The hospital has strong support from the Lebanese community, and the Hajjars have used some of their local connections to help expand support in the Boston area. For the past 18 years, their son, Chuck, and his wife, Anne Tamer Hajjar, have been intimately involved in a gala fund-raising event called TomorrowNite, and for nearly half those years, Anne has been chair of the event.
“It’s a ton of work,” she admits. “But I had a sister who died of a brain tumor, so I want to do what I can to fight childhood cancer. When I see these sick kids, I thank God it’s not one of my own. So the hard work is all worthwhile.”
This year’s event, TomorrowNite 2009, “A Night of Hope,” will be held Saturday, March 21, at Boston’s new Mandarin Oriental Hotel from 6 to 11 p.m. It is a new venue for the fund-raiser, which in the past had been held at the Wang Center. Scheduling conflicts caused the change in location, but Hajjar feels it will be an exciting move.
“People want to see the new hotel, and I think it will be spectacular,” she said.
This year’s event will feature a performance by John Alston, a Berklee College of Music student and St. Jude cancer survivor. At the age of 17, Alston was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His last treatment was in April 2006. He entered Berklee in January 2008, fulfilling a dream to study classical music.
The evening will also include gourmet dining, dancing with the Rollins Ross and Soul Source Band, and a silent auction featuring sports events, spa getaways and major artwork. Known as the hospital’s premier fund-raiser for the region, the Boston-based event has raised nearly $5 million over the past 17 years.
The Mandarin Oriental is located at 776 Boylston St. Tickets are $500 per couple, $300 per person.
For more information about the event, visit at www.stjude.org/tomorrownite.
Meanwhile, Anne’s sister-in-law, Helaine Hajjar Nader, is co-chairing a family-oriented event to support the hospital. Her children are even helping out on the committee.
“Big Dreams Start Smaller, Tuning in to St. Jude Kids” will hold its third annual family event on Sunday, March 29, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Lantana, 43 Scanlon Drive, Randolph. The event, geared to children and their families, will include food, games, raffle items, ice cream, music and many activities. Tickets are $20 per person. For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Sarah Ladd from the St. Jude regional office at (617) 965-5262.