For Immediate Release

Saturday, May 19, 2018

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

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Raise Over $20,000 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 raised over $20,000 last weekend.

Members of the Taunton Police Department and Taunton Fire Department squared off against each other on Saturday, May 12, to raise money for two good causes and for bragging rights in the city.

Half of the proceeds of the event will 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 benefit Amy Masse, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon and liver cancer. Masse is a second grade teacher at Elizabeth Pole Elementary School and the sister of Taunton Firefighter AJ Masse. Her boyfriend is Taunton Police Officer Joseph Balmain.

Nearly 500 people attended the game at Aleixo Arena in Taunton.

The Taunton Fire team won the game 8-3, with the assistance of Vancouver Canucks forward Adam Gaudette. Gaudette’s father is a veteran Taunton firefighter. The hockey star donated one of his game worn jerseys as a raffle prize and played in the game as a surprise to support the fundraising effort.

Following the hockey game, a reception was held at the Portuguese-American Civic Club in the city. Barbecue was served and over 50 prize baskets and silent auction items were raffled off. The raffle items included a signed basketball from the Celtics, a signed jersey from the Bruins and Gaudette’s Canucks jersey.

“The whole day turned out to be really great and we raised a lot of money for these two amazing families,” said Officer Evan LaVigne, who helped to organize the event. “Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support.”

So far, the Taunton community has come together to help both families even beyond the hockey game. A GoFundMe page for Bryce’s care has raised over $31,000 in two months. A similar page for Amy’s treatment has raised over $12,500 in one month.

“This community really rallies for each other when someone is in need,” said Taunton Firefighters Association Local 1391 President Jason Lawrence. “Just being able to see the two families smiling and enjoying themselves made it all worth it.”

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