The fourth annual Sunshine Soirée drew a sold-out crowd to Wychmere Beach Club on the evening of June 4. The event raised $144,000 for the Sunshine Kids Foundation and carried the brokerage past a remarkable milestone: more than $1 million raised for the cause since 2018.
A Sold-Out Evening at Wychmere Beach Club
Hosted by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Robert Paul Properties, the evening paired the Cape’s coastal setting with live music, fine dining, and spirited bidding. Guests gathered overlooking the harbor at one of Harwich Port’s most beloved venues for a night built around a single purpose: brightening the lives of children with cancer.
The Mark Greel Band kept live music going all evening. The night felt like a celebration as much as a fundraiser. Auctioneer John Terrio brought high energy to the live auction. The silent auction also drew steady bidding throughout the night.
The evening was hosted by Erika Tarantal, the Emmy Award-winning anchor for WCVB NewsCenter 5 in Boston, whose “5 For Good” reporting earned her a national Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media. Her focus on community generosity made her a fitting host for the evening.
The night’s most affecting moment came during Tarantal’s on-stage conversation with Sunshine Kid Rob Brassard and his mother, Tatyana. They shared what the Foundation’s programs have meant to their family. By several accounts, the room did not stay dry-eyed for long.
“There’s a moment every year when the room goes quiet, and you remember exactly why we do this. This year, it was hearing Rob and his family. The dollars matter, but what we’re really raising is a little more time for kids to just be kids. That’s the whole point, and it’s the best work we get to do all year,” said George Patsio, Managing Partner of Commonwealth Realty Group, LLC, the parent company of Commonwealth and Robert Paul Properties.
Supporting Children with Cancer
Founded in 1982, the Sunshine Kids Foundation is a national nonprofit dedicated to children with cancer. The Foundation improves the quality of life for young cancer patients through positive group activities and opportunities. These programs are free of charge to children, families, and hospitals. Funds raised through events like the Sunshine Soirée support trips, retreats, and gatherings. These experiences let kids in treatment simply be kids again.
Commonwealth Real Estate and Robert Paul Properties have supported the Sunshine Kids Foundation since 2018, and the Sunshine Soirée, now in its fourth year, has become the centerpiece of that effort. This year’s event pushed their cumulative support for the Foundation past $1 million since 2018. That figure represents thousands of moments of normalcy and joy for children who need them most.
The 2026 Soirée was made possible by the generous support of agents, employees, sponsors, vendors, and attendees.
To learn more about the Sunshine Kids Foundation or to make a donation, please visit the event website.