The 2007 Children’s Choice Awards Dinner Honorees

	(left to right) Sara Sidner, Matt Haley, Erin McGlynn, Rene Boisvert, Corinne Mohrmann and Hon. Carol Corrigan
	William, Andrew, Starfish teacher Mai Tran, and Mo’Ney
	Eric Beegun and Rene Boisvert

Friday, February 23, we gathered at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square for Saint Vincent’s Annual Children’s Choice Awards Dinner.

This is always a festive occasion, and a time where we honor special friends who work so diligently to help secure a bright future for each and every child who comes the Day Home doors. Mistress of Ceremony duties were handled by KTVU broadcaster Sara Sidner.

Our founders, the Sisters of the Holy Family, were well represented at a table and the invocation was delivered by current President of the Sisters of the Holy Family, Sister Sharon Flannigan. As is our custom, several of the Day Home children joined the festivities and sang for us.

Honoring Friends Who Have Made a Difference in the Lives of Children and Their Families

Board of Directors President Hon. Carol Corrigan, Executive Director Corinne Mohrmann and Nancy Jankovsky made the presentation to our three honorees, Erin McGlynn, Matthew D. Haley and Rene Boisvert:

Erin McGlynn is a woman who has been there. As a single mom of four children, she is breadwinner and nurturer and everything in between. No matter how demanding her own circumstances, Erin has reached out to help others and instilled in her children the duty and joy of doing so. Erin has been on the Saint Vincent’s Day Home Board since March 2002. Her energy, her commitment, and her profound understanding of the challenges our families face continue to inspire us.

Matt Haley is both wise counselor and Big Brother to the Day Home. As a Board Member, he shares his legal expertise to help guide our efforts. He is always there for our families and staff as well, explaining the mysteries of the law, making the call or writing the letter that ends a conflict, or going to court with a nervous pro-bono client. Matt always makes us laugh and face the future with a smile with his warmth and generosity, his genuine affection for people and his endless willingness to be there “for the children.”

Rene Boisvert came to Saint Vincent’s because he wanted to help enrich his community. As Board member and friend, he brings a vision and energy to his service to both challenge and inspire. Rene established the tradition of being Santa every year for our children—the delight they radiate when they see him is reflected in his eyes and never fails to warm our hearts.

Rene is also tireless in his efforts to promote the Day Home, expand our list of friends and increase our presence in the community. We are grateful for his friendship and inspired by his generosity.

Special Recognitions

In addition to our Children’s Choice honorees, two special people were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the children and families of the Day Home, Cal football player Eric Beegun and Scott’s Seafood Restaurant owner Michael Staggs.

Eric Beegun is known to Cal fans as the tight end who played in all twelve games last season, and who recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in legal studies. This past December Eric was the recipient of Cal’s Everett Merriman Award for Commitment to Community Service in 2006. It is important to note that this award is infrequently given. Eric received this for his extraordinary involvement in volunteerism, along with rallying the UC Football team and Coach Jeff Tedford to become involved in what turned out to be a major fundraising event. Cal’s 2006 Football Kick-Off Reception held last August in Memorial Stadium gave donors a chance to scrimmage with the Cal team. Followed by a dinner and auction, the event raised more than $12,000 for Saint Vincent’s Day Home.

Michael Staggs -- For several years, Scott’s Seafood Restaurant has not only hosted our annual Children’s Choice Awards gala, but has also generously underwritten our annual Champagne Brunch since 1992. Scott’s Owner Michael Staggs has been instrumental in seeing that these events go smoothly and that all of our guests are happy and well fed! Without Michael’s generous support of the Day Home, we certainly would not be where we are today. His professional and helpful staff ensures, year after year, that the Children’s Choice Awards dinner is a special evening full of good fun, good friends, and, of course, good food!