Fund-raiser to benefit area family
By Hilary Shepard Contributing Writer

The Manganaro-Harpin family, with 10-year-old Andre at far left SUBMITTED

Region - A little over two months ago, the middle of five children in the Manganaro-Harpin family, of Maynard, suff ered severe head trauma when he was getting picked up from camp in Stow by his father and was hit by an out-of-control driver.

Andre, 10, was Life- Flighted to UMass Medical Center, where he was put into a medically induced coma. Andre is now at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, where he will spend his time learning to speak and walk again.

Andre's father, Michael Manganaro, is originally from Ashland, and his mother Joanne Harpin is originally from Marlborough, where Michael now works as a self-employed realtor with Distinctive Realty.

Family, friends and coworkers have banded together to create "A Day For Andre," an event to raise money to off set medical costs for the Manganaro-Harpins. The Sunday Oct. 14 event will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Hudson Elks Pavilion on Park Street.

A Day For Andre will include live music, the Van Buskirks disc jockeys, a family style barbecue, a cash bar and children's activities, including face painting, balloon animals, bouncy rides and more. There will also be a raffle, and silent and live auctions.

All proceeds will go to the Manganaro-Harpin family and will be used to support Andre's medical costs and supporting the living expenses of his four siblings, who range in age from 2 to 16.

A table of 10 is $250. Individual tickets are $25, and children under 10 are admitted free. Raffle tickets are $50. First prize is $5,000, second prize is $1,000, and the three third prizes are $500 each. Tickets can be purchased by calling Donna Coffin at 508-951-6274 or Bob Kays at 508-981-2960, or by sending e-mail to adayforandre@ yahoo.com.

Silent and live auction items include event tickets, sports memorabilia, vacations, and services from local businesses.

Direct donations will also be accepted at the event. Make checks payable to: A Day For Andre, P.O. Box 176, Marlborough, MA 01752. Donations can also be made using a credit card by calling Tom Wellen at 508-451- 0109.

Friends and family of Andre are raising funds through other avenues as well. There is a Cut-a-thon at Rumors in Marlborough on Boston Post Road from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday Oct. 7; it will feature Trombetta's ice cream and disc jockey Jake Lewis. Make a donation and receive your choice of a haircut, a mini manicure or a chair massage.

Volunteers are needed for both events. For more information or to purchase tickets or make a donation, visit www.aday4andre.org.

According to Donna Coffin, a friend of the family, Andre's parents, Mike and Joanne, are very grateful for the support they have received to help off set the costs of medical bills and support a family of seven so that they can take time off from work to spend with Andre as he makes his recovery.

"[They] have been overwhelmed with the support of family, friends and complete strangers," she said.