Shrewsbury – In a bipartisan effort, the Shrewsbury Democratic and Republican town committees will host a joint fundraising event St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17, to raise funds to replace the town's aging World War I monument. All proceeds will go directly to the Victor Quaranta American Legion Post 397, which is collecting funds for the project. The event is being co-hosted by U.S. Rep. James McGovern, 3rd district; state Rep. Matthew Beaton, R-Shrewsbury; state Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, and Selectman James Kane.
The event will be held at 7 p.m. at the Italian American Victory Club, located at 26 Dewey Rd. in Shrewsbury. Tickets are $50 each, with a discounted rate of $25 for seniors and veterans. Reserve tickets by contacting either the Democratic or Republican Town committees. The Democratic Town Committee may be contacted at [email protected] or 508-847-1139, and the Republican Town Committee may be reached at [email protected] or 508-736-7723. All checks should be made payable to “Victor Quaranta American Legion Post 397” and sent to P.O. Box 391, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
This is the second annual St. Patrick's Day event organized to help fund the World War I monument. The goal for this year is $10,000. The planning committee is seeking both business and individual sponsors for the event. Contact either Mindy McKenzie-Hebert at 508-736-7723 or Jason Palitsch at 508-847-1139 for more information. All donors contributing in excess of $250 will be acknowledged during the festivities and in future press releases.
The fun-filled event will feature live music and karaoke, joke telling, a drawing, heavy appetizers, and a cash bar.
The current monument, located on Maple Avenue in front of Beal School, is over 80 years old and in need of replacement. A total of $120,000 is needed to replace the monument, and to date, approximately $70,000 in both monetary and in-kind donations have been pledged.
Beal School itself is named for Major Howard W. Beal, a Shrewsbury resident who practiced medicine in Worcester, and who was killed in action on the Western Front in July of 1918. More information on the project can be found at www.shreww1.org.
