Olivia Scimeca (center) holds the Wounded Warrior Project sign with friends who helped make the fundraiser a success.
It was a big night for fundraising in the North End to support the Wounded Warrior Project, where friends and neighbors gathered at Lucia’s on Hanover St. on behalf of three soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan. Ricky Scimeca from the North End, along with friends Robert McCarthy, Justin Santoro and David McGrath are “rucking†the Boston Marathon upon their return from the war in March 2012 to raise awareness and money for the Wounded Warrior Project. WWP provides unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. The night was a huge success, raising over $25,000 for the cause. Congratulations to all involved in putting on the successful fundraiser!
Leading the charge was Olivia Scimeca who recounts the efforts of many, many people:
“I am overwhelmed by the love and support and generosity of my friends, family, community and total strangers! Donato Frattaroli and Annmarie Wilcox did an amazing job – they gave up their restaurant for the night to host this event. The spread of food Donato gave us was unbelievable! Mike’s Pastry gave so much pastry, LuLu’s Sweet Shoppe gave delicious cup cakes and Bova’s gave cookies. Street Magic was fabulous!! What a night – thanks to George Hadaya for moving all the furniture in and out of Lucia’s and setting up all the tables, thanks to Rich Macdonald for helping take all the prizes to Lucia’s, Berna DiNunzio and Tina for picking up the pastry, Roseann Matarazzo Romano for doing just about everything from selling raffles to collecting prizes, posting on Facebook and driving me around, Maria Peary for helping making this event possible (I couldn’t have done it without you Maria). Joyce Papa Amoroso for generously donated the Bruins Prizes, bags, picture etc., selling raffles and just helping coordinating. John Romano for helping to sell raffles. Melissa Gibbons for helping me organize all of the prizes for the Mystery Envelope raffle. Angela Mantone for the Silent Auction table and Julie Bonnetti for the Bruins Raffle Table, Deb DeCristofaro for working the prize table all night long. Adele Cataldo for bagging all of the wine prizes. Kathy Carangelo for all of the letters, flyers, beautiful posters, gift certificates. So many people helped – the businesses thank you so much for your generosity. I hope I didn’t miss anyone – thank you – words cannot express how grateful I am. Thank you to Sheila McCarthy and Robert and Quiana Blair for sharing this night with me. I was so happy to meet the families of my son’s friends.”