It’s not every day Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll shows up at a party to chat over champagne, but it’s also not every day that the League of Women Voters hosts a soiree at the home of Driscoll’s friend and former Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.

And it was for a worthy cause.

The League of Women Voters of Newton held its Champagne & Chocolates Scholarship Fundraiser on Sunday at Fuller’s home in Chestnut Hill. Attended by several dozen local residents and elected officials, the event focused on the issues facing Massachusetts—ranging from housing and college costs to immigration crackdowns and a rise in antisemitism—over cupcakes, cake, cookies and, of course, champagne.

The LWVN Scholarship Program started in 2021 and benefits graduating students who live in Newton or attend school in Newton and are planning to continue their education after high school graduation.

“With pressing concern about the lack of involvement by our youth, one of our members challenged us to do more,” Frieda Dweck, LWVN board member, said. “The charge was to work at engaging the next generation of civic leaders by providing an annual scholarship.”

Driscoll spoke for about 10 minutes. Housing got the most focus, as Newton has become unaffordable to so many.

“I know this firsthand as a mayor (Salem prior to Lt. Governor): We have not built enough housing, and the housing we have, because we haven’t built enough, is very, very expensive,” Driscoll said. “We are losing the very people we rely on to grow our economy—our young adults, primarily between the ages of 26 and 35—who can’t afford to stay here.”

More information on the LWVN Scholarship Program, including how to qualify and how to donate, can be found here.

Check out these photos (and videos) from the scholarship fundraiser.

Sharyn Roberts of the League of Women Voters of Newton, right, mingles at this year’s scholarship fundraiser with a previous scholarship awardee, Maeve Ruane. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Amelia Koch, left, and Jane Harper, right, attend a scholarship fundraiser for the League of Women Voters of Newton. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: Esther Schlorholtz, Marcia Johnson and Joe Hunter (Newton Beacon board member). Photo by Bryan McGonigle

State Sen. Cindy Creem, left, and former State Rep. Kay Khan, right, attend a scholarship fundraiser for the League of Women Voters on March 29, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Former Mayor Ruthanne Fuller speaks at a scholarship fundraiser, held in her home, for the League of Women Voters of Newton. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Lt. Gov. Discoll speaks to the crowd at a scholarship fundraiser for the League of Women Voters of Newton at former Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s house. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: City Councilor Brittany Hume Charm, former City Councilor Deb Crossley, former City Councilor Vicki Danberg, City Councilor Andrea Kelley and City Councilor Maria Greenberg attend a scholarship fundraiser for the League of Women Voters of Newton. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Former City Councilor Rick Lipof and his wife, Jan, attend a scholarship fundraiser for the League of Women Voters of Newton. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Kim Driscoll attends a scholarship fundraiser for the League of Women Voters of Newton. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

VIDEOS: Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on housing, immigration and more