By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Grafton – On April 13, 5-year-old Sofia Sugarman of Grafton tragically lost her mother, Kelly, leaving the young girl essentially without her parents. Soon after, the Grafton Police Association established the Sofia Sugarman Fund and pledged the first $1,000. Another opportunity to help Sophia was organized by the Grafton Police Department in conjunction with Homefield Credit Union; state Rep. David Muradian Jr., R-Grafton; Dave Rivers and Jay Hunter.
“Singing for Sofia” was presented May 14 at Hunter’s Grille & Tap at the Grafton Inn. A suggested $10 donation was collected with all proceeds going directly to the Sofia Sugarman Fund. The fundraiser featured 15 musical acts performing on two floors.
Bands entertaining upstairs were Josh Briggs and Friends, the Elemental Duo, Enemy Audio, Fluffy White Kitten Clouds, Six to Midnite and Tokyo Tramps. Acoustic music acts performing downstairs were Terry Brennan, Cara Brindisi, Sean Erhartic, Jess Garcia, Rob Ledoux & John Donovan, David Rak, Matt Robert, Paul Roukat and Pete Towler.
A raffle offered over 60 donated gift items including sports tickets, gift baskets and certificates. Additional funds were raised by a silent auction with several offerings including a State House visit and lunch with Rep. Muradian, a one-year membership to Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce donated by President and CEO Jeannie Hebert, and rounds of golf at Whitinsville Golf Club and Worcester Country Club.
The Sofia Sugarman Fund will also be the benefitting charity of this year’s fifth annual KMS Golf “Tourna-Mint” to be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at Highfields Golf and Country Club with a shot-gun start at 1 p.m. A dinner will follow. This event is held annually in memory of Highfields employee Krista M. Schonberg, who passed away unexpectedly at age 30 in 2011.
To enter a foursome of golfers, offer sponsorship or donate a raffle prize, contact event coordinator Danielle Hardiman at golf_krista
. Team application deadline is Friday, July 1. For more event information, visit KMSGolf.com.
Monetary donations to the Sofia Sugarman Fund can be brought to the Grafton Police Headquarters, 28 Providence Rd. Make checks payable to the Grafton Police Association and indicate “Sofia Sugarman Fund” as a memo.