The evening was vibrant, lively, and full of momentum. It began with a Taste of the North Shore, where guests enjoyed an incredible spread of dishes from top local restaurants while connecting with others who share a deep commitment to this community.
Chefs Aaron Chambers, Julio Varela, and Mogs Moremong brought both talent and heart to the competition, transforming everyday pantry ingredients into thoughtful, inventive dishes in just 45 minutes. Judged by Anna Rossi, Bill Fogarty, Ryan Blodgett, and Katy Sweetland, the competition was spirited. Congratulations to Chef Mogs of ROOT, who earned the title of Best Chef 2026!
As the competition heated up, so did the room. A high-energy raffle and live auctions kept the excitement building throughout the night, while powerful stories from dedicated volunteers Chris Connors and Bill and Joanne Panunzio, reminded us of the impact happening every day.
“All of us in the program have moments that cause us to stop and pause. The single parent trying to raise a family on a tight income, or someone working four jobs and still struggling to make ends meet,” Bill shared.
Every day, neighbors from all walks of life come through Beverly Bootstraps’ doors, looking for stability and support as they navigate through some of life’s hardest moments. Your generosity helps fuel our programs.
“As a volunteer, you know the clients struggles and you truly enjoy getting to know them,” Chris said. “When the clients have a big smile when they see me, or when their kids run up to tell me what happened in school that day, it validates the adage that there is “more happiness in giving, than receiving.”
“We are people building up other people. And the need for that right now is greater than ever,” Bill added. “We understand that as volunteers, we give the time. But it’s the funding and donations that make all those programs work.”
Your presence and generosity make our work possible. This was truly a celebration of what a community can accomplish together.
Couldn’t make it this year? Be part of the impact.
