For Immediate Release

Monday, May 7, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Police and Fire Departments to Compete in Charity Hockey Game

Proceeds of Fundraising Game To Benefit Families of City Police Officer and Firefighter

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw are pleased to announce that a charity hockey game to benefit the families of a Taunton Police officer and Taunton firefighter will be held this weekend.

WHEN

Saturday, May 12

• 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

Members of the Taunton Police Department and Taunton Fire Department will square off against each other to raise money for two good causes and for bragging rights in the city.

Half of the proceeds of the event will go to benefit Taunton Police Officer Jeremy Derosier’s two young children, who were both recently diagnosed with mitochondrial diseases. Baby Bryce Derosier is 14-months-old and his sister Aubriella turns 3 next month.

The other half of the money raised will go to Amy Masse, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon and liver cancer. Masse is second grade teacher at Elizabeth Pole Elementary School and the sister of Taunton Firefighter AJ Masse. Her boyfriend is Taunton Police Officer Joseph Balmain.

WHAT

In 2015, Taunton Police Officer Evan Lavigne was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Officer Lavigne’s father is a captain for the Taunton Fire Department.

After Officer Lavigne’s diagnosis, a few of his fellow officers approached him with the idea of organizing a hockey game between the police and fire departments to help raise money for his treatments. The game was a huge success and raised over $13,000.

Officer Lavigne is now cancer-free and when he heard about the struggles that the Derosier and Masse families were going through, he decided that it was his turn to return the favor.

He has been working closely with members of both the police and fire departments to help organize the event.

“This is just one more thing that we can do for these guys,” Officer Lavigne said. “Both families have been going through a really tough time. This will be a day for everyone to come together and help to distract them from their current norm and have some fun. It was something that I really appreciated when I was going through my treatment and I hope it’s uplifting to them as well.”

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 over 30 prize baskets raffled off and silent auction items including a signed basketball from the Celtics, a signed jersey from the Bruins, a signed Vancouver Canucks jersey from Braintree’s own Adam Gaudette and other items.

Those who are unable to purchase tickets can still attend the game and reception, where they can buy raffle tickets and bid on the silent auctions. However, they will not be provided with food to cook at the reception.

So far, hundreds of tickets have been sold and many are still available to be purchased.

“This is something that we want to turn into an annual event,” said Taunton Firefighters Association Local 1391 President Jason Lawrence. “Being able to help these guys in their time of need is what it’s all about.”

So far, the Taunton community has already come together to help both families. A GoFundMe page for Bryce’s care has raised over $27,000 in two months. A similar page for Amy’s treatment has raised over $12,500 in one month.

“While we’ll be playing against each other on the ice, for most of our calls for service we are there together,” Lavigne said of the police and fire departments. “When it comes down to it, we’re all in it together to make sure that we all go home. So far it’s been a tremendous outpouring from both sides. Everybody has been so amazing in their support of these families.”

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