(l-r) Mark Herstein; John Tocci; Barbara Hughes, SPARK Center Program Coordinator; Lila Tocci; and Sam Mellen
Woburn, MA – The seventh annual “Buddy Run” fundraiser was held on July 18.
Sponsored by Tocci Building Companies, the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, and Boston Harley-Davidson, the Buddy Run featured motorcyclists participating in a two-hour urban “motorcycle run” to support the important work of the Supporting Parents and Resilient Kids Center (SPARK Center) in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood.
John Tocci, chief enabling officer; Lila Tocci, director of company life + charitable giving; and Sam Mellen, assistant superintendent, participated by hitting the open road along with dozens of other riders. Design manager Mark Herstein assisted with set-up, event organization, and raffle ticket sales.
The SPARK Center provides therapeutic, medically specialized programs for children of all ages.
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The police-escorted ride began and ended at the SPARK Center, located at 255 River Street in Mattapan. Following the ride, a post-event festival was held, offering concessions, raffles, music, and family-friendly activities.
“The SPARK Center continues to provide vital services for at-risk children and their families, even as the organization itself faces challenges through federal budget cuts and reductions in institutional funding,” said Lila Tocci. “We are thrilled that Tocci could continue its support of the SPARK Center, and are proud to individually play a role in helping them achieve their important mission.”
The SPARK Center relies on partnerships with Boston Medical Center (BMC), state and federal grant support, and the generosity of private foundations, individual donors and volunteers. The annual “Buddy Run” fundraiser helps to supplement these gifts in order to keep its high-quality medical and psychotherapeutic services free of charge. c o o l c a l m constructed 1 of 3 Tocci Building Companies
“We are excited that the Tocci team was once again able not only to sponsor, but also participate in our Seventh Annual ‘Buddy Run’,” commented Barbara Hughes, program coordinator and director of events at the SPARK Center. “It is an inspiration to see a company with charitable initiatives as a core corporate value, and that enthusiasm is contagious to everyone involved with supporting the SPARK Center.”
The SPARK Center philosophy is that all children are resilient and able to take control of their futures. Making long-term investments in Boston’s urban communities, the SPARK Center and its supporters, including Boston Medical Center, are dedicated to helping families make healthy choices, cope with emotional problems, and gain solid educational and parenting skills. For more information and to make a donation, please visit bmc.org/SPARK.
