LMG Casino Night raises over $40K

Published March 13, 2019

By GAIL LOWE

LYNNFIELD — The exact numbers have yet to be calculated, but the Lynnfield Moms Group (LMG) is “pretty confident” that more than $40,000 was raised at Casino Night on March 8.

The fundraiser was held to benefit 7-year-old Sam Halpern, who last winter suffered the loss of both legs below the knee and his right hand after contracting a rare streptococcal infection.

Sam survived only through a strong course of antibiotics and an even stronger support system that includes his family, friends and the Lynnfield community. Early in his illness, the little boy spent two months at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston where he learned to use prosthetics and build strength.

The money raised will be used to help with Sam’s medical expenses and admission to Camp No Limits this summer with his family. A portion of the proceeds will also be used to purchase Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) playground equipment for Glen Meadow Park.

“We don’t have an exact number yet, but we are pretty confident it was over $40,000,” said Elissa Cooper, co-director of public relations for LMG.

Cooper added that without LMG President Keira Capobianco and LMG Vice President Lindsay Weiss, the event would not have been held.

LMG CO-DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Elissa Cooper (left) and LMG Vice President Lindsay Weiss attended Casino Night on Friday, March 8 at the Crystal Community Club in Wakefield. The event was held to raise funds for Lynnfield resident Sam Halpern, 7, who incurred major medical expenses after contracting a rare streptococcal infection. (Gail Lowe Photo)

“They worked so hard to make sure this event was a success,” said Cooper.

Weiss said that the successful event was a sellout and the money raised was double the expected amount.

“Everyone had a fabulous time,” she said. “The community is incredibly generous.”

Capobianco added that it was truly “awe-inspiring” to see how a community can come together and be so generous.

“I am deeply thankful for the outpouring of support for Sam and his family,” she said. “It is so exciting to know he will now have access to the special prosthetics he needs to play the sports he loves, and I look forward to catching the smile on his face when he sees the new ADA equipment at Glen Meadow when we partner with the town to get it installed this spring.”

Earlier this year, Sam’s mother Michelle Halpern said she and her husband Joseph were “humbled beyond words” over the community’s outpouring of concern. The couple are also parents of Benjamin, 5, and Carmela, 3.

Casino Night included a roulette wheel, blackjack and other games of chance along with drawings for raffle items, a live auction, food and music. Each attendee was given $2,000 in “funny money” to play the games.

LMG members wished to thank Total Entertainment for supplying their casino and entertainment needs and Cerra’s Market, Costco, Philly Pretzel Company, Pride’s Deli and Davio’s for donating food.

They also thank sponsors who helped offset costs: MarketStreet Lynnfield, Axle Color Studio, DiVirgilio Insurance, Al DiVirgilio, Wakefield Co-operative Bank, Attorney Don Gentile, Anthony Bruno Realtor, Christina Hixon and Nikki Martin Real Estate Team, Torigian Family YMCA, Sofia E. Day Spa, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Ellen Crawford Realtor, Herb Chambers Mercedes Benz-Lynnfield, Boston Harbor Cruises, Dermatology and Skin Health Dr. Gary Mendese, Patti and Mike DeFlumere, Red Sox Foundation, Sentenia Systems, Sitter Studio, Style Snoop and Total Wine. Also, CrossFit Rte. 1, JM Electrical, Fitness Together, Phil Crawford, National Development, The Dalton and Cook Families, Me Time Yoga, Martins Dental Partners, the Clifford Family, Carrie Me Away Vacations and Mickey MVPs, the Weiss Family, the Baird Family, Bellevue Golf Club, Ferncroft Golf Club, Full Service Landscaping Corporation, Michelle James Salon, NBM, Priestley’s Fine Art Photography, Tom O’Reilly-Tennis Pro of Wellesley Country Club and Tuscan Kitchen.

Also, 101.7 The Bull, A Mom’s Village, ABC Music Factory, Alisa Contreras, Amazon Books, Athleta, Beauport Hotel-Gloucester, Body by Boyle, Booty by Brabants, Bravo by the Sea, Burlington Mall, Capital One Cafe, Catch the Funk!, Cervicci’s Martial Arts Academy, DoubleTree Hilton-Boston North Shore, Elements Massage, Engaging Nutrition, Fit Revolution-Lynnfield, Flips-R-4-Kids, Gaslight, Goldfish Swim School, Green Park Studios, Honeydew Rte. 1 South, Institute of Contemporary Art, Ipswich Ale Brewery, JP Licks, Julie Routhier, Kendra Scott, Kidcasso, Kings Bowling, La Voile-Brookline, Mass., Lindmark Insurance, Little Gym, Live local Designs, LMG board members, Lord Hobo Brewing Company, Lululemon, Lynnfield Baking Company, Lynnfield PTO, Maggie Kenneally Photography, Marjorie Youngren Realty, Michelle James Salon, New England Aquarium, North Shore Music Theater, Ostuni’s Men’s Clothing, Pink Parkway/Southern Tide, Posh Lash, Putnam Pantry, REI, RN Esthetics, Salty Cottage, Studio Poise, Sugah Butter Flour, Susan Parziale, Swimm with Timm, Tammy Bogner, Tracy Jorgensen, Unfoldid, Wahlburgers, Wiggles and Giggles and Woodman’s of Essex.

Other LMG board members include Sarah Kelley, Meredith Meyer, Kimberlee Kossover Hansen, Tricia Berlinghieri, Jeana Tecci, Hanh Chu, Elizabeth McCaffrey, Jenny Silva, Jennifer Clifford, Katie Santarelli, Maggie Kenneally, Jennifer Daniels, Andrea Paciello,Tina Bruno, Elissa Cooper and Sheri Gentile.

“We’d also like to thank Selectmen Phil Crawford, Dick Dalton and Chris Barrett, the Crystal Community Club and Darren Conley and Mark Lafratta for covering the cost of the hall,” said Cooper. “And the town of Lynnfield for help gaining access for ADA equipment at the parks and always being a supporter for the community.”