‘Let’s all Think of Michael’

Trivia Night fundraiser a huge success

Published January 15, 2020

By DAN TOMASELLO

DANVERS — The life and legacy of Michael Dalton continue to live on.

Four hundred residents came together to enjoy a fun night of trivia, have some laughs and raise money during the Think of Michael Foundation’s second annual Trivia Night at Breakaway Tavern in Danvers on Friday, Jan. 10. While proceeds from the event were still being tallied when the Villager went to press on Tuesday morning, Selectman Dick Dalton, who serves as the foundation’s treasurer, said the proceeds raised from Trivia Night were “substantially over” the $90,000 plus raised last year.

The Dalton family formed Think of Michael after son and brother Michael passed away from an opiate overdose while in outpatient treatment on Jan. 13, 2018. The nonprofit organization funds scholarships that allow people in recovery to stay at a sober house.

Kiss 108 “Matty in the Morning” co-host Billy Costa served as the special guest live auctioneer during Trivia Night.

“I got a call from Jenn Burnham several weeks ago and she told me about the event,” Costa told the crowd. “She asked if I could come in and I said absolutely. It’s such a great cause and the Dalton family is doing a wonderful job. I and my family have been affected in a personal way, so it’s an even bigger honor for me to be here tonight.”

Costa recalled that he lived in Lynnfield for 27 years and raised his three sons, Chris, Alex and Dylan, in town.

“The cool thing about tonight besides raising a lot of money for a worthy cause is it’s a reunion for me,” said Costa. “As I walked in the front door, I saw all of my old friends and neighbors from Lynnfield, whose children grew up with my children. I want to thank you for having me here tonight.”

The winners of the Trivia Night competition were the Mods, which consisted of Town Moderator Joe Markey, his finance Jillian Richard, Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin, his wife Sharon Cameron, Fields Director/LCWD Board of Water Commissioners Chairman Joe Maney and his wife Cara. The Mods donated the $500 grand prize to Think of Michael.

“It feels great supporting a nonprofit organization that makes such an impact in the community,” said Markey, who served as the Mods’ team captain. “It’s a great organization that brings awareness to a disease and tries to erase the stigma associated with it. It’s filling a void in the community.”

After Costa concluded his opening remarks, he introduced Dalton to the sell-out crowd.

“It has been a difficult journey the past two years,” said Dalton. “We recently endured Christmas and the holidays without Michael. In three days, it will be the second anniversary of his passing. And in 18 days, he would have been 42 years old. But through it all, you have been there for us. The love and support you have all shown my family and I over these two years has been so meaningful and comforting to us. For all that you have done for us and the Think of Michael Foundation, thank you so very much.”

Thanks organizers and sponsors

Dalton thanked the Think of Michael Event Committee for helping make Trivia Night a huge success once again. The committee consists of Burnham, Natasha Anderson, Patricia Hazelton, Karen Littlefield, Candace Doucette, Jacqui Driscoll, Tony, Louise and Mark Ferullo, Pat Curley, Jay Gardner, Selectman Chris Barrett, Nicole Lamar, Maria Peary, Amanda Petrini, Tammy Ryan, Shirley Siciliano, Jim, Bernadette and Audra Dalton, Pauline Marino, and PJ and Lauren Varone.

“Once again, none of this would have been possible without the Event Committee,” said Dalton. “It is comprised of 23 people. After Michael passed, our family talked about what we would do to honor his memory. And each one of these 23 people approached us. None of them were recruited to be a board member and a committee member. They came to us and said they hoped we would do something in Michael’s memory, and they wanted to be a part of it. From that point, we knew we could put something together that could be meaningful.

“This group has worked endless hours,” Dalton continued. “Our family room this past week looked like a sweatshop at the turn of the century, with people coming in and out all hours of the day. We had people sitting on the floor working because there weren’t enough seats for everybody. It has been remarkable. We love each and every one of our committee members.”

Dalton also thanked Presenting Sponsors Jeff and Katie Fishbone, Kevin and Leslie McCafferty, John E. Jr. and Nancy Murphy/Maureen Glynn, Salem Five, National Development, Blue Flag Development, The Cronin Group/Temazcal Tequila Cantina, Everett Bank, Realtor Ellen Crawford and Moynihan Lumber for supporting Think of Michael.

“When we were putting together the first event last year, we had a goal of having one Presenting Sponsor,” said Dalton. “This evening, we have 10 Presenting Sponsors. We owe them a great deal of thanks.”

Dalton noted that St. Sebastian’s School’s SADD Chapter was a Platinum Sponsor at Trivia Night. Michael attended St. Seb’s and was a star hockey and football player at the all-boys Catholic school in Needham.

“The boys had saved for two years since Michael’s passing,” said Dalton. “I thought that was a beautiful gesture. That is one of many we have experienced.”

Dalton thanked Trivia Night’s other Platinum sponsors as well as the event’s Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors. He also thanked all of the people and organizations who donated to the fundraiser.

“What makes this event so special is that all of the donations and sponsorships, of all sizes, allows us to have continued success,” said Dalton. “We appreciate everything that everyone does. No matter how small the amount of money it might be, it all adds up and it helps us accomplish our mission.”

“Making a difference”

In addition to recognizing the Event Committee and Trivia Night’s various sponsors, Dalton paid tribute to seven people who he said were “making a difference.”

“These are special people who have done a lot in respect to the opioid crisis,” said Dalton.

Dalton said Magnolia New Beginnings founder Maureen Cavanagh “originated the concept of sober house scholarships.” He said Cavanagh “established a network of clinicians throughout eastern Massachusetts that refers individuals to the foundation.”

“Maureen is the first person we really networked with,” said Dalton.

Dalton also thanked Selectmen Chairman Phil Crawford for establishing A Healthy Lynnfield.

“It was Phil’s idea to form A Healthy Lynnfield a couple of years ago,” said Dalton. “And since a very modest beginning, Phil has worked hard and has gotten state and federal grants. We now have an organization in Lynnfield that will serve our community like no other. Thank you Phil for all you have done.”

Dalton also recognized Recovery Works founder Dr. Estee Sharon, who is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing at Massachusetts General Hospital’s West End Clinic.

“I have gotten to know her since Michael’s passing,” said Dalton. “We have had conversations with her about the Think of Michael Foundation, and she wanted to do something to compliment what we are doing. She founded Recovery Works, whose goal is to help those with higher educational and work experience backgrounds return to the workforce.”

Dalton said Cronin Group founder Jon Cronin was slated to receive the Martin J. Walsh “Leadership in Recovery” Award on Monday night.

“Jon has for decades been a devoted supporter of recovery efforts and programs like ours,” said Dalton. “He is making a difference in the opioid crisis.”

Dalton also thanked Ruth Kelley for supporting people in recovery. He recalled that Kelley, who worked at the Dimock Center in Boston for 24 years, helped establish the

Ruth Kelley Ummis House in Roxbury’s Fort Hill neighborhood. He said the facility provides “housing and intensive care management to women and children.”

“This past Christmas, the Think of Michael Foundation, along with the Red Sox Foundation and others, had the privilege of helping Ruth provide a Merry Christmas to the 14 women in recovery and their 28 children,” said Dalton.

Dalton also thanked House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and State Sen. Brendan Crighton for their efforts in fighting the opioid crisis.

“One is a Republican and one is a Democrat,” said Dalton. “They actually get along and they get things done. I am sure they have their policy differences, but they have been doing what they can to help us and other organizations. They were instrumental in getting funding grants for A Healthy Lynnfield and Recovery Works.”

Dalton thanked Trivia Night’s attendees for coming to the event once again.

“Through your generosity, we continue to help the neediest of the needy,” said Dalton. “And once again, a heartfelt thank you from me, Carmela, Stacey, Jamie and Mason. I am sure Michael is looking down on us tonight, humbled by your outpouring of love.”

Dalton concluded his speech by asking for a moment of silence so he could play a voicemail Michael left.

“I love you,” said Michael. “Have a good night and take it easy.”

After Dalton concluded his speech, he was given a thunderous round of applause. Costa commended the Dalton family for supporting people in recovery.

“There is an incredible amount of generosity in the building tonight,” said Costa. “Let’s all Think of Michael.”

The event concluded with the annual live auction, which featured a number of big-ticket items such as a NESN VIP experience at Fenway Park and a vacation to Puerto Rico. Costa also donated a prize that allowed residents to bid on the opportunity to appear live on “Matty in the Morning.” Local residents Lauren Hurton, Heather Grieves, Lindsay Hubbard and Kelly Migliero won that prize.