Boston Herald — Spero Hosts Event to Benefit Anthony Quinn Foundation

Social Studies: Spero wins at ‘Sunset’

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By: Erica Corsano, Boston Herald

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Dressing up like you’re on a modern-day set of “Miami Vice” and partying it up with your closest friends isn’t a bad way to handle fundraising.

Spero, a decade-old 501(c)3 nonprofit, was started by a tight-knit group of friends who work hard, play hard and give back in a major way. Last night, the group celebrated its annual benefit gala, “Sunset on South Beach,” at the Benjamin Franklin Institute in the Back Bay.

The group raises funds for underfunded youth and education programs in New England. Of their many events throughout the year, this one’s the biggest.

The evening’s festivities included a VIP hour with freebies from cosmetics brand Julep; a temporary metallic tattoo station; light bites from Blackstone Caterers; specialty cocktails such as raspberry mojitos and Absolut Citron Lemonade; and a high-tech silent auction powered by 501 Auctions.

Cocktail hour was followed by a dance party, with guests letting loose in their most festive South Beach-inspired attire.

Attendees of note include Joanna and Bryan Flynn, Eric Rhynhart, Maura Howley, Jon and Samantha Hanman, Zak Putnam and Scott Liston.

Past beneficiaries of Spero benefits have included Cradles to Crayons and Youth Enrichment Services, with this year’s proceeds going to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, an arts-focused education org that provides summer art scholarship programs to high school students.

Over the past five years, around $150,000 has been donated to youth organizations throughout New England.