Sponsors Needed for the NEAD Family Fun Festival

By Phil Orlandella

North End Against Drugs (NEAD), for the 28th consecutive year, is attempting to provide numerous free events for all North End residents, families, teenagers, single adults and seniors during the summer months, according to NEAD President John Romano.

What started out as North End Family Pride Day has now transformed into a week of events called NEAD Family Fun Festival which includes many activities such as, a Boston Harbor Cruise, National Night Out, a puppet show, a movie night, sports night, LaFesta Baseball Exchange and free arts and crafts.

A grant that helped pay 15 percent of the $16,000 cost has expired forcing NEAD to put together a vigorous fundraising effort to provide the very popular and well attended neighborhood special week of activities.

“Many generous businesses, organizations, neighbors and our local elected officials provide donations year after year to help defray the cost of this event,” Romano said. “Our corporate sponsor EVERSOURCE energy and Taste of the North End pick up a large portion of the cost.”

Romano said, “Each year it is getting tougher to meet our fundraising goal to pay for these great events.”

            You can help NEAD by making a donation of any amounts. Checks can be made out to NEAD, c/o Family Fun Festival, 30 North Bennet Street, Boston, MA 02113.