Reading Fall Faire Dunk Tank Helped Raise $2K For Rotary, Local Family

READING, MA — A busy dunk tank booth at this month’s Reading Fall Street Fair raised $1,704 for the Reading Rotary and the owners of Ruff N’ Ready Dog Grooming, organizer Christopher Haley said in an announcement on Friday.

A generous donor then chipped in more than $300 after a presentation from Haley to the Reading School Committee, raising the overall donation past $2,000, according to Haley.

“I’m happy we’re able to have such a great event for all the families in Reading and all the bragging rights for the kids,” Haley said of the experience with the dunk tank during his School Committee remarks.

The dunk tank was one of many attractions throughout the sprawling street faire on Sunday, Sept. 11.

It drew a particularly large crowd at times as local Town Hall leaders and school officials, including Town Manager Fidel Maltez and Reading Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski, took a seat atop the dunk tank.

Guests could pay for a chance to trigger the dunk tank. Proceeds were then split between the Reading Rotary and the owners of Ruff N’ Ready Dog Grooming.

Ruff N’ Ready is the operation of Paul and Liliana Magee, who have owned their dog grooming business in Reading for the past 17 years.

The couple had to temporarily close up shop earlier this year, though, after Liliana suffered a stroke that left her unable to walk or use her left hand, as noted on a GoFundMe page that her daughter set up.

Reading has since rallied to support Paul and Liliana, raising over $12,000 as of Monday to offset various costs associated with Liliana’s care and recovery as well as a decrease in income due to Ruff N’ Ready’s temporary closure.

“Welcome to Reading,” Haley wrote of the most recent donations to help Liliana in his recent announcement. “This is who we are.”

The GoFundMe campaign is ongoing at the link here.