WORCESTER—The WooSox Foundation celebrates four local leaders next month during its fourth annual “WooSox Foundation Honors” gala, recognizing standout contributions across education, social justice, pediatric health and youth sports. The event takes place Saturday, Dec. 6, at Polar Park.
This year’s honorees include Jodie Gerulaitis of Country Bank; Julie McDonald of the Juniper Outreach Foundation; Dr. Larry Rhein of UMass Memorial Health; and Mike Novia of Double Play Sports & Fitness and the Junior WooSox program.
Boston Red Sox players Nick Sogard and Payton Tolle, along with Red Sox and WooSox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman, will help present the awards. Tom Caron of NESN will serve as emcee. Tables and individual tickets are on sale at woosoxfoundation.org/honors.
Gerulaitis, Country Bank’s First vice president of community relations, has championed education initiatives including the Most Valuable Teachers and WooStars programs, both of which have supported educators, students, and regional nonprofits.
McDonald, founder and executive director of the Juniper Outreach Foundation, has established food pantries within Worcester Public Schools and local businesses to ensure students and community members have access to meals.
Rhein, chair of pediatrics at UMass Memorial and an award-winning pediatric physician and researcher, has published more than 30 studies focused on infant and child health. His honors include the Daniel Federman Teaching Award from Harvard Medical School and the SPR Fellows Basic Science Research Award.
Novia, president of Double Play Sports & Fitness, created the Junior WooSox AAU Baseball & Softball Program, which provides year-round clinics, camps, and tournaments for players as young as seven. Participants often join the WooSox’ pre-game “High-Five Tunnel.”
The gala supports the WooSox Foundation’s charitable initiatives, which span mental health, veterans, frontline workers, pets, the arts, and other community priorities.
Following the steak-and-lobster dinner and awards ceremony, attendees will be invited to an after-party in the WooSox clubhouse, where they can meet the honorees and visiting Red Sox players — and even take a few swings in the team’s batting cage.
Tickets are $200 per person for a table of 10 or $250 for individual seats. More information is available at woosoxfoundation.org/honors.
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