The South Shore YMCA held its 15th Annual "A Taste of the South Shore" fundraiser honoring Dan DeMarco, partner at Campanelli Companies, and his wife, Patty DeMarco, March 24th at Lombardo's in Randolph. Supporters of the YMCA gathered to help benefit the Y's annual support campaign and the "Send a Child to Camp" initiative.
Donations raised at this year's event will support hundreds of families around the South Shore. Gifts allowed the YMCA to raise a net total of $93,000, an increase of $15,000 from last year's event. Most notably, the organization nearly tripled last year's "Send a Child to Camp," raising $36,100. This year's incredible support will allow the Y to send 620 children to summer camp.
Norwell residents Dan DeMarco, and his wife Patty, were honored for their passionate involvement with the South Shore YMCA over the last 15 years. Dan joined the YMCA's board of directors in 1996 and since then has served as vice chair of the board of directors, a member of the capital campaign committee, chairman of the Mill Pond branch board and the driving force behind many of the Y's building projects. As partner at Campanelli Cos., Dan and his family have made leadership donations to the annual and capital campaigns, donated 11 acres of land for the development of a sewerage treatment plant and served as Presenting Sponsor of the Y's TREK Cycling event each year.
Patty DeMarco Co-Chaired the 2006 Enchanted Evening Event which remains one of the most successful fundraisers in Y history. Together, Dan and Patty presented the 2008 Germantown Make a Difference Appeal, raising critical funds for the Y's Germantown Neighborhood Center whose Food Pantry is currently serving 1,400 people each month.
"This year's "A Taste of the South Shore" fundraiser was a huge success, grossing $112,000. This accomplishment is due to the tremendous commitment and passion of our honorees, Dan and Patty DeMarco, as well as the incredible efforts of our committee members and volunteers," said Paul Gorman, CEO and president of the South Shore YMCA. "I send my deepest gratitude to all sponsors and supporters of the South Shore YMCA. Your donations will directly benefit and improve the lives of more than 5,500 children on the South Shore."
Dan and Patty's eldest daughter, Danielle DeMarco, unfortunately could not attend the event but surprised her parents with a video conveying her pride and respect for her parents and their work at the YMCA.
This year's event brought the area's best restaurants together for an evening of delectable fares. A record-breaking 25 area restaurants and eateries showcased their culinary delights in support of this worthy cause. Some of the featured restaurants that joined the event included Alma Nove (Hingham), Jake's Seafood (Hull), The Fruit Center (Hingham and Milton) and Typhoon (Hingham). Sponsors included Street-Works Development, South Shore Savings Bank, Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance and Sagamore Plumbing and Heating.
About the South Shore YMCA:
The South Shore YMCA has been serving individuals since 1892, when a group of 12 volunteers decided to work together to improve the lives of people in our community. The organization offers programs for after-school, the summer, health & well-being, child care, sports & recreation, and much more.
The South Shore YMCA is comprised of branches in Quincy and Hanover, and an overnight camp in Sandwich. The organization also manages the Germantown Neighborhood Center in Quincy.
Together, the nation's 2,617 YMCAs are the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America, working to meet the health and human service needs of 20.2 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the United States.