Bid for eligible bachelors to benefit Shriners Hospital

Date: 10/27/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Want to meet some of the areas most eligible bachelors and maybe win a date with one? The Matchmaking Company of West Springfield has sought out 20 lucky men for the Bid for Bachelors to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children.

The Matchmaking Company has partnered with Pazzo Ristorante to host the event, which will auction off bachelors including Byron White, executive chef at Pazzo, and Darryl Moss, mayoral aide for the city of Springfield.

"It's an added bonus that I happen to be single and that the cuties will be able to sweep me off my feet," White joked during an interview with Reminder Publications.

"This is meant to be for a good cause -- it just happens to be that we're billing its as a bachelor event," he continued, adding that singles and couples are welcome.

"What got me hooked on Shriners [Hospital for Children] is when we walked through the facility [in Springfield] and it put the lump in our stomachs," White recalled. "To see the smiles on their [the patients] faces, it moves you. It's just like the ocean taking over land -- that's what it does to your emotions. To be part of something greater is what it's all about."

Gale Urban, president and owner of the Matchmaking Company, said the goal is to raise $10,000 for the cause. She noted those who win bids for bachelors aren't required to go out on a date.

"We're gonna have women there that are married that will just [bid] for charity," Urban explained.

Lee Freniere, public relations specialist at Shriners Hospital, noted since news of possible closure hit the media, the community "has rallied behind us 100 percent."

"They know that we need to be here [in Springfield]," she said. "It's not just that we're this great charity ... everybody here knows how to treat kids from infants to 18 years old.

"Shriners are not in the business to close hospitals," Freniere continued. "They overwhelmingly voted to keep all hospitals open [but] the way we do business is going to change."

Michael White, director of operations and marketing for Pazzo Ristorante, said he hopes this event will help to "keep the hospital front and center all year."

"The community has to pull together and we'll all succeed in the process [of keeping the hospital open]," he added.

The Bid for Bachelors event will take place on Nov. 13 at Pazzo Ristorante, 1000 Hall of Fame Ave., Springfield. The evening will include cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and bidding at 7 p.m. for bachelors as well as silent auction and raffle prizes.

Tickets for the event are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Those who wish to participate in the bachelor auction must buy tickets in advance.

For more information about the Bid for Bachelors, contact Urban at 731-5683 or via e-mail at events@matchmakingco.com.