Royersford Fire Dept. Event Will Aid Pediatric Cancer Nonprofit

ROYERSFORD, PA — A Beer and Beef Fundraiser is in the works for those who want to join the Royersford Fire Department in supporting families whose children have cancer.

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, so the Royersford Fire Department selected Jake's Dragon Foundation for its annual fundraiser that will support families who have been affected by pediatric cancer. They've planned a Beer and Beef Fundraiser.

The selection of Jake's Dragon Foundation was not random. RFD community relations officer Adam Alberico said both he and the founders of Jake's Dragon Foundation have lost someone to pediatric cancer. Sandy and Matt McHugh, who founded Jake's Dragon, lost their teen son Jake to cancer in 2018. While Alberico was working with them to plan a fundraiser, he said his own son, at 20, was diagnosed with cancer.

Daniel Silvers-Alberico died on March 2, 2021, at 21. Royersford Fire Department holds a fundraiser every year, and this year the nonprofit that focuses on pediatric cancer will benefit.

Alberico said Stickman Brews asked about Daniel and came up with a beer for the event that represents Daniel's favorite, with a specially designed label.

The event will be held Sept. 18 at Stickman Brews in Royersford starting at 4 p.m. and it will last "'Til they kick us out," the Department said in a post advertising the event.

Jake’s Dragon Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to funding innovative pediatric cancer research and helping families cope with the enormous financial burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis. It is a Founding Hope member of the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

Tickets to support pediatric cancer through Jake's Dragons Foundation are $40 per person, which includes food, live music, and two cans of beer.

The fundraiser's gold theme for this year will be seen all around town. Gold lights and banners will be everywhere in town to remind residents that RFD supports pediatric cancer. "We're looking to raise a lot of money. From food to signage, everything has been donated by the community, 100 percent," Alberico said.

He said when the Department was looking for a tent rental with chairs and tables, a local business stepped up and donated it.

Alberico said all proceeds from the event will be donated to Jake's Dragon Foundation.

Every year the Fire Department holds a fundraiser to benefit a community organization. In the past RFD has raised over $7,000 for breast cancer awareness.

Tickets for the Beer and Beef Fundraiser for pediatric cancer can be purchased here.

In this video, Rob Frederico of RFD and Sandy McHugh of Jake's Dragon Foundation talk up the event:

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