I would like a minute of your time to tell you about a local young man whose life was cut short tragically in September 2008. His name was Patrick Donnelly and he grew up playing with my sons and his mom Kathy and I became good friends. I am sure many of you have seen the donations cans, ads for fundraisers and heard stories about him. He was murdered while driving his car in Florida where he had moved with hopes of starting a new phase of his life. Patrick was a wonderful son, friend and student and so just after his funeral Mass his family and friend searched for a way to preserve and honor his memory and so began the Patrick Donnelly Foundation.
The purpose of the Foundation is to honor his life, spirited compassion for learning and drive to be educated. In only the first year this non-profit managed to give a $5,000.00 scholarship to a worthy student of Tantasqua High school to be used to attend Westfield State College where Patrick was an alumnus.
We are planning the second Annual Patrick Donnelly Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser to be held at the Sturbridge Host hotel on October 2. There will be dinner, dancing and entertainment along with guest speakers and raffles. We are looking for items to be used as part of the raffle or silent auction to help us raise even more money this year. The hope is to award and even larger scholarship next year. We would love anything you might be able to donate like gift-certificates, baskets, artwork, sports equipment, jewelry or services are just a few ideas. Sometimes a unique handmade item can raise a surprising amount.
If you think you have anything you would love to donate we would love to hear from you. We are a non-profit so donations are tax deductible. Imagine the look on some graduating students face if we could award them with an even larger scholarship next year.
Please help us to continue to honor Pat by contributing or attending. You can read more about the this event and Patrick’s life at PatrickDonnellyFoundation.org or contact me at (774-230-0174) to arrange a raffle donation or Patrick’s mother Kathy at (508-736-8120) who would love to hear from you.
Thank you,
Trish Bourassa
H: 508-347-1476
C: 774-230-0174
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