a ballroom in downtown Boston stood vacant due to a cancelled corporate party. A group of fifteen friends decided to make use of the space by holding a benefit to raise funds to aid inner-city children. With 270 people in attendance, the event raised $3,968 and so began the SnowBall.

The success of the first SnowBall led to the group to establish Santa Claus Anonymous (SCA), a formal non-profit fundraising organization. For over a decade SCA's mission has been to have a positive impact on the development of youth in the greater Boston area by supporting programs for educational, social and character development. The majority of the programs that SCA supports are non-federally funded and also do not receive United Way funding. In many cases, the funding that SCA provides enables programs that otherwise would not be possible. As a thriving organization, SCA has raised over a million dollars and has contributed to the lives of hundreds of children in the greater Boston area.

Now in its 21st year, the SnowBall has become one of Boston's largest all volunteer run black-tie event with hundreds of volunteers and thousands of guests. In addition to the generous donations from those that attend the event, SCA receives generous sponsorships from various corporations. Santa Claus Anonymous donates over 80% of all proceeds raised from the Snowball to approximately 12 beneficiary organizations.