Lauren Garber

BOSTON – Local sports heroes and philanthropists attended the 9th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Muscle Team benefit Wednesday night at the Fairmont Copley Hotel, helping raise money and awareness towards a cure for the disease.

Seats to the $400-a-plate dinner and auction were nearly sold-out, and turnout was even higher than expected.  More than 300 guests attended the event— which featured a silent auction and dinner to honor those stricken by the disease— despite the wintry weather that persisted throughout much of the day.

WATCH SLIDESHOW OF ITEMS UP FOR AUCTION

“We got calls all day, ‘I don’t care how much it snows, we are coming,’” said Kate Tighe, MDA District Director.  “It’s the highlight of the year.  It’s the best night for [the kids].”

At the pre-dinner reception, MDA children were paired with local stars such as former New England Patriot and Super Bowl XXV Champion, Steve DeOssie, Boston Bruin Shawn Thornton and former Red Sox Sam Horn.  The children and their parents were seated with the athletes during the dinner as well.

“It’s awesome. You couldn’t ask for better,” parent Eric Miller said of the support shown by the Boston sports community.  His six-year-old son, Joe, has a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Spinal Muscular Atrophy.   Miller said events like this are especially important to raise awareness, and help families pay for essential care.  Some crucial items, such as his son’s wheelchair, cost upwards of $46,000.

While it was a special night for these young sports fans, the athletes were just as excited as their younger companions.  They followed their ‘buddies’ as they whizzed around in wheelchairs, and snapped photos on their iPhones and Blackberries.

“You go in thinking you’re trying to make these kids happy, and you turn around and realize at the end of the day and they made you happy,” said DeOssie, “because of the way they grab life and the way they feel about things, and the way they are so energetic and so caring, and work with each other. It’s one of those charitable events that gives as much as it gets.”

Those who could not attend showed support by donating items for the silent auction.  The auction featured sports memorabilia such as a baseball signed by Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, a signed jersey from Celtics star Kendrick Perkins and a Mike Lowell autographed World Series Championship t-shirt.  Local community leaders also contributed to the event: Equity Office offered a year of parking in the city and Citgo donated a gasoline gift card.

All proceeds from the auction and dinner went to assist families of Boston-area children who are afflicted with the disease.