DAVE MCGILLIVRAY TO BE BLOSSOMS AT THE BEEBE VIP
WICKED LOCAL WAKEFIELD
Dave McGillivray — author, athlete, motivational speaker and philanthropist — will be the featured VIP at the 12th annual Blossoms at the Beebe, an event to benefit the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library and the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce.
The adult-only event is taking place 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday evening, April 27, at the library, 345 Main St., Wakefield.
McGillivray, race director for the Boston Marathon and president of DMSE Sports, will be the guest speaker at the sponsor-only reception before the event.
Since 2001, McGillivray has served as race director for the Boston Marathon, a position that involves managing and overseeing all technical, operational and logistical aspects of the marathon, and oversees an organizing committee of more than 75 key experts, consultants and vendors. He is also the founder and president of DMSE Sports, an event-management organization that has been providing logistical support and consulting services for mass-participatory events since 1981.
Born and raised in Medford, McGillivray was valedictorian of both Medford High School and Merrimack College. He discovered his knack for and love of running at the age of 12 when he began the tradition of running his age in miles on his birthday.
Through his individual running accomplishments, he has combined his love of running with philanthropy. In 1978, he ran across the U.S. — 3,452 miles in 80 days — to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. Two years later, he ran from Florida to Massachusetts with Bob Hall, one of the pioneers of wheelchair marathoning, to once again benefit the Jimmy Fund. In 2004 he ran across the country again, this time in relay-style and with nine other veteran marathoners, which raised more than $300,000 for five children’s charities.
His many accomplishments include consecutively running the Boston Marathon since 1973 and serving as race director and founder of numerous marathons, half-marathons, triathlons and 10Ks throughout the country. In 1982 he ran the Boston Marathon in 3:14 while completely blindfolded and escorted by two guides, raising more than $10,000 for the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton. He has also run the marathon while serving as race director since 1989, completing the run after his race director duties are complete.
He has authored two books about his running journeys: “The Last Pick” chronicles his childhood and career as the last pick for team sports because of his small stature, motivating readers to never underestimate their own ability to set and achieve goals; and “Dream Big: A True Story of Courage and Determination,” a nonfiction picture book for readers ages 6 to 10, shares his unique story about reaching deep and showing extreme determination in the face of doubt, disappointment and loss.
In addition to the VIP reception, Blossoms at the Beebe will feature a masquerade theme. The evening will include a flower show, live musical entertainment, dancing on both levels of the library, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a special raffle, a cash bar featuring a signature drink which reflects the evening’s theme, and a photo booth.
Proceeds from the event support library services, cultural events and the many Chamber of Commerce projects that enhance the civic and economic life of the communities.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Beebe Library Reference Desk or online at http://blossomsatbeebe.com for $40 per person.