West Roxbury Main Streets Puts the Cuffs on Cancer with House of Blues Fundraiser

The FNX Clambake wasn't the only party on Lansdowne Street on Thursday night. and Cops for Kids With Cancer teamed up to host a joint fundraiser at the House of Blues.

The proceeds of the event were split by both organizations to continue direct grants of support to families of children with cancer, as well as assisting the West Roxbury Main Streets in community revitalization efforts. West Roxbury City Councilor Matt O'Malley was in attendance and publicized the event via Facebook and Twitter. 

Cops for Kids with Cancer is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization made up of law enforcement officers and friends of law enforcement.  In 2010, CKC gave $5,000 grants to the families of 36 children living with cancer in Massachusetts, for a grand total of $180,000.  One of these children was , a resident of West Roxbury, who is suffering from ALL Leukemia.

Helena Findlen, president of Cops for Kids, asked the crowd to be generous in their donations, "This organization started with the Boston Police Department. It is our hope to make this the charity of cops everywhere. Your money is going to help families pay for gas. Your money will pay the mortgage. Your money is going to something special. These kids are fighting with such resilience."

Michael Loconto, president of the board of West Roxbury Main Streets, said, "This is our third year at the House of Blues. Last year we worked with the Jimmy Fund. We're working with Cops for Kids this Year. They make direct checks to families with donations of $5,00o. This is our way of giving back in a specific manner." 

Money raised will also benefit the West Roxbury community. Loconto went on to say, "despite a down economy, West Roxbury hasn't lost local businesses. We have gained new ones. We're a community that believes in neighborhood business." 

The Emerald Society of Boston is a proud sponsor of the event, donating $1,500. Current President Michael McDonagh was a supporter of the new partnership with WRMS.

Kara O'Connor, the executive director of West Roxbury Main Streets, said the goal was to exceed the $15,000 raised in 2010. Prizes raffled off in a silent auction included multiple Red Sox ticket packages, Radisson and Lighthouse Inn overnight stays. The recent win of the Stanley Cup enticed one attendee to bid $700 for a Bruins jersey. More than $20,000 was raised in a preliminary count. 

Recent projects worked on by the WRMS are storefront improvement grants for Porter Cafe, , , Sun Ray Cleaners and the Boston Artisan Market, community projects like the Spring Cleaning Day and the Holiday Stroll. Businesses will be canvassed in the fall to gauge their support service needs.