Benefit to blow roof off Geraldine's Night Club

Date: 3/24/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Cancer House of Hope intern Erica Brunell, a junior at Westfield State College, was tasked with a big job -- to help fill this non-profit's financial gaps created by cut grant funding and decreasing donations.

Her initiative and perseverance will bring several groups together on behalf of the House on March 27, when Fendline of West Springfield headlines a benefit concert at Geraldine's Night Club.

Brunell told Reminder Publications that Fendline will donate half of their earnings and Geraldine's Night Club has agreed to give a portion of the cover charge to the House.

"I just loved the idea because we know that we have the ability to bring a lot of people together, and when we can do that for a cause then we are more than willing to make it happen," Dan Barkyoumb of Fendline said. "These people are trying to do great things everyday and we just wanted to help them out the only way we know how...I am thrilled to be apart of it."

Cheryl Gorski, executive director of the Cancer House of Hope, noted that some grant funding has been either cut in half or eliminated.

"We have to be more creative about our fundraising," she said. "We are looking to make up some [financial] ground. If we can raise $30,000 [from all the fundraisers] that would be great and that would help out a lot."

Brunell and Barkyoumb said they've each had personal experiences with friends or family afflicted with cancer, which prompted their need to become involved with the House.

"All of us have had our dealings with cancer in one way or another so it's not a hard cause to rally behind," Barkyoumb said.

Brunell explained that free programming provided by the House allows patients and their families to better deal with the physical and emotional rigors of the disease.

The two Cancer House of Hope locations -- 86 Court St. in Westfield and 946 Plumtree Rd. in Springfield -- provide free support groups, life coaching, relaxation groups and other services to patients and families.

The benefit concert will take place at 9 p.m. at Geraldine's Night Club, 1501 Elm St. Those attending must be 21 years of age or older.

For more information about the Cancer House of Hope, visit www.cancerhouseofhope.org.

Music and bios of band members can be obtained at www.myspace.com/fendline.