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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Jimmy Callanan: 2018 Julie’s “Angel”
POPS Conductor Keith Lockhart confers the 2018 “Angel” Award on Jim Callanan.
by Rick Winterson
C
ongratulations to James J. “Jimmy” Callanan are certainly in order. He became the 2018 Julie’s “Angel”, courtesy of Julie’s Family Learning Program, who recognized Jimmy for the astonishing breadth of his good works and devoted community services. He really epitomizes the born-and-brought-up South Boston resident through his love for this neighborhood. Jimmy is the President and CEO of the business he founded – JCALPRO. JCALPRO is firmly based upon Jimmy’s long, successful experience in the shows, plays, entertainments, and many cultural events he has worked on behind the scenes – as a rigger, light-and-sound-man, technical director, stage director, you name it. This is the basis for his success with JCALPRO (Jimmy has a worldwide reputation. He truly knows the business. And that success has led him to “give back” in many, many ways. He serves on a number of non-profit Boards of Directors, and has supported committees connected with Fallen
Julie’s ED Bob Monahan greets the 2018 Julie’s “Angel” Awardee, Jim Callanan.
Heroes, Medal of Honor Park, and the South Boston Community Health Center. Jimmy’s event-related work made him friends with Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart, who presented him with the 2018 “Angel” Award conferred by Julie’s Family Learning Program last Wednesday evening, December 13. And quite an evening it was. Julie’s Executive Director Bob Monahan welcomed all of the Learning Program’s guest to the spacious Higginson Room at Symphony Hall – hors d’oeuvres and drinks measured up to the elegance of the Room, which is named for Henry Lee Higginson, the Founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The program was both interesting and very original. The highlight, of course was Jimmy Callanan’s “Angel” Award, given to him by Keith Lockhart. Julie’s Board Chair Ellen Segal followed with some very encouraging remarks about Julie’s recent fundraising successes. Their fundraising goal is within 15% of being realized – good news, indeed. Sr. Louise Kearns, a co-Founder of Julie’s was then recognized by the enthusiastic guests. Another very interesting part of the evening’s program then began. Introduced by Lauretta Brennan, who knew him “back when”, Michael Macdonald took the lectern. Macdonald is known for his best-selling autobiography “All Souls”. He spoke of his days here in Southie that led to “All Souls”, and concluded by reading the famous passage about his “All Souls” Christmas tree – very fitting, quite poignant. Julie’s guests then took to Symphony Hall for the Thursday evening Holiday POPS Concert, conducted by Keith Lockhart and featuring the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. Santa Claus visited, naturally, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was comically rendered, and (also of course) there was a singalong. The occasion was rounded out by a tribute to Chanukah – selections from “Songs of Freedom”. Julie’s “time” was remarkable, as well as being a remarkably successful fundraising event. Congratulations once again to 2018 “Angel” Jimmy
A festive group with Julie’s 2018 “Angel” Awardee, Jim Callanan (far r.)
Lauretta, Ann, and Mary at the Julie’s Reception.
Sr. Louise, Julie’s co-Founder, is presented to Julie’s Reception guests.
Rob, Denise, Margaret, and Paul are there to see Jim get his “Angel” Award.
Of course, Santa Claus visits the Holiday POPS.