Thank you for making the 7th Annual Fathers' Breakfast a Huge Success!

On October 16, 2008, approximately 250 guests gathered at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston for the 7th Annual Families First Fathers' Breakfast.  Fathers from Massachusetts celebrated their role as a father and learned how Families First strengthens families from all life circumstances.  We are thrilled to report that the breakfast was a great success.  Through the generosity of individuals and corporate sponsors, we raised more than $97,000 for our parenting education and professional training programs! 

Guest speaker Dan Doyle was a huge hit.  Mr. Doyle, a father of six, is a renowned international speaker, coach, author, and Director of the Institute for International Sport.  His latest book, entitled "The Encyclopedia of Sports Parenting", co-written with Deborah Doermann Burch, is a timely and comprehensive book with advice on issues that confront parents of athletes of all ages, including sportsmanship, ethics, and balancing life and sports.  Dan used personal stories to illustrate the importance of ethics and the critical role parents play in teaching their children how to make ethical decisions.  Dan kept the energy high!  After an exciting game of Simon Says with everyone in the room, one lucky individual won tickets to a University of Rhode Island basketball game. Thanks to our co-chairs Michael Buckley, Blake Jordan, and Andy Majewski and our Fathers' Breakfast Committee for all of their hard work!  Save the date for next year's Fathers' Breakfast, which will take place in October 2009.  We hope to see you there!

Click here to see our Fathers' Breakfast Supporters

Families First Staff Members Nicole Cleckley, Jessica Kirkpatrick, Madeleine

Otani Oldman, and Stacey Ellsworth

Families First Executive Director Crista Martinez Padua and Board of Directors

Chair Melora Balson

Fathers' Breakfast Speaker Dan Doyle, founder of the

Institute for International Sport

Guests enjoying breakfast at the newly opened Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Table Captains Paul Marcus and Scott Oran with Guest

Executive Director Crista Martinez Padua, Guest Speaker Dan Doyle, and Event
Chair Michael Buckley