Friends Raise $18,000 for St. Francis House

-by Phil Orlandella

North End Friends of Saint Francis House have delivered $18,000 to help support their homeless shelter by conducting a Flea Market/Bake Sale and a generous donation by an anonymous donor.

The event actually raised $8,257.37 but the donor rounded the figure to $9,000 and matched it with another $9,000.

“The Friends were overwhelmed by the support of everyone in the North End and others that helped make this endeavor a success,” Co-founder John Romano said.

Numerous North End businesses either placed a donation can in their place of business or donated baked goods or coffee including, Mangia Mangia’s, Mike’s Pastry, Bova Bakery, Dr. Anthony Bova, Lyndell’s Bakery, Boston Common Coffee Shop (donated coffee), Joe Pace and Son, Maria’s Pastry, Contrada’s Coffee Shop, Hanover Smoke Shop, Green Cross Pharmacy, Hanover Wine & Spirits and the Salem Market.

Other sponsors and supporters included Old North Construction, Mary and John Romano who made and sold 280 of their renowned sandwiches and 11 banana breads, Eliot and St. John Schools, NEAD, Nazzaro Community Center, Knights of Columbus and NEAA.

The local media, Regional Review, Post Gazette, North End/Waterfront.com and Boston.com/My Town were thanked for publishing the event several times.

Also noted were Carl Ameno and Clark Hazelwood from the Nazzaro Community Center and Ida DePasquale and the North End Seniors for the use of their club day for the event.

Janet Gilardi, Josie Lepore, Laurie D’Elia, Lillian Ferullo and Maryann Tordiglione were also thanked for their valuable assistance.

Co-founder Olivia Scimeca and Kathy Carrangelo also thanked everyone that helped and contributed and are already getting geared up for next year.