Chief Timothy J. Bradshaw
50 School St.
Taunton, MA 02780
Chief Edward James Walsh
23 Summer St.
Taunton, MA 02780
For Immediate Release
Friday, May 24, 2019
Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net
Taunton Police and Fire Departments to Compete in 2nd Annual Charity Hockey Game
Proceeds to Benefit Taunton Police and Fire Charities and the Family of Holly Rodrigues
TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw are pleased to announce that a charity hockey game to benefit the family of an 8-month-old Taunton girl with cancer will be held next month.
WHEN:
Saturday, June 8
- Hockey Game – 2-4 p.m.
- Reception/BBQ/Raffle – 5-9 p.m.
WHERE:
- Aleixo Arena, 150 Honorable Gordon M. Owen Riverway, Taunton
- Portuguese-American Civic Club, 175 School St, Taunton
WHO:
For the second year in a row, members of the Taunton Police Department and Taunton Fire Department will square off against each other to raise money for multiple charitable efforts undertaken by the departments this year.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the family of Holly Rodrigues, an 8-month-old Taunton girl diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a form of childhood cancer that affects the eyes.
WHAT:
In March, the Taunton Police Department organized an event where the organization Cops for Kids with Cancer presented a check for $5,000 to the Rodrigues family to help pay for some of Holly’s medical bills.
In continuing their efforts to assist the Rodrigues family, the city’s police and fire departments will be playing in their annual charity hockey game.
“We met the Rodrigues family at the check presentation in March with Cops for Kids with Cancer. They truly are a wonderful family and little Holly is fighting bravely everyday,” Taunton Police Lt. Eric Nichols said. “We wanted to continue to help Holly and her family in any way we could and our hockey fundraiser with the fire department is the perfect way to do that.”
Last year, the charity hockey game raised more than $20,000 for the son and daughter of a Taunton Police officer who were diagnosed with mitochondrial diseases and for a Taunton second grade teacher diagnosed with stage 4 colon and liver cancer. Nearly 500 people attended last year’s event.
Tickets for the game are $20 each and can be purchased at the police and fire stations in the city. The family friendly event is open to adults and children of all ages.
The reception at the Portuguese-American Civic Club will include a barbecue where attendees can grill their own meat over open fire pits. The meat is included in the price of the ticket and will be provided at the club.
During the reception there will be prize baskets raffled off and other special raffle items. Those who would like to donate items for the raffle prizes and silent auctions can contact Sgt. Joseph Balmain by emailing jbalmain@tauntonpd.com.
Those who are unable to attend the game, but would like to donate money can contact Sgt. Balmain at jbalmain@tauntonpd.com or Lt. Darrell Borges at dborges@tauntonpd.com or Lt. Nichols at enichols@tauntonpd.com. In addition, donations can be left in the event envelope located in the Commanding Officer’s office at the Taunton Police station, 23 Summer St.
“Last year’s event had such a great turnout,” Chief Bradshaw said. “It was incredible to witness the outpouring of support and caring from our community and we hope to see just as many people, if not more, at this year’s game.”
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