On Thursday evening, May 9th, Community Work Services (CWS) held its inaugural City of Champions celebration gala. The event, which attracted a sold-out crowd, featured the lives and legacies of six distinguished honorees, including Boston’s mayor, Martin Walsh; TD Garden President and CEO, Amy Latimer; CWS Board Chair, Paul Davis; Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn; best-selling author, Casey Sherman; and CWS participant Danielle McInnis who graduated from CWS hospitality training program to secure a job as a front desk supervisor for Boston’s renowned Boxer Hotel.

Erika Tarantal, Boston’s Channel 5 News reporter and anchor, emceed the evening. The musicians of Tunefoolery, a CWS partner that specializes in bringing together musicians in mental health recovery, offered a melodic backdrop to the evening.

“Building on our 143 years of helping the people of the city of Boston, this event recognized our new partners and celebrated the expanded role our agency is taking to help those with barriers to work.  The funds we raised will be reinvested in innovative programming and new opportunities in our community,” said Paul Davis, Chair of the CWS board of directors and an honoree.

The event included a silent and a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind special sports, arts, and entertainment items, including a Tom Brady signed football and Number 12 Jersey, a signed Leroy Neiman print featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and photos of entertainers ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Frank Sinatra and Aerosmith.

 “We are thrilled,” said Craig Stenning, Executive Director of CWS. “The attendees were very generous, and we surpassed our goals for the evening. And, we are already forging new partnerships with local businesses to hire our participants and underwrite our important work.”

The CWS family anticipates this to be the first of many years of celebrations honoring individuals who are making a difference in the city of Boston.