LYNNFIELD — More than 200 walkers and runners of all ages turned out on a beautiful Saturday morning for the Ava Maria 5K Run and Walk for the benefit of the Think of Michael Foundation (TOM) at St. Maria Goretti Church.
The event’s mission is to raise awareness in the community about the challenges people with substance-use disorders face on their way to recovery, while also offering participants a chance to do something healthy.
With a DJ, pumpkin-decorating tables, plenty of dancing, refreshments, and even a hula-hoop contest, there was something for everyone.
“This is just wonderful the way the community came out, not just from the Maria Goretti community but so many other families throughout Lynnfield,” said TOM President Carmela Dalton. “It was a little emotional at the finish line and just so great to see everyone, so many families, just having a great day as a family while supporting our cause.”
“Yes, it’s an emotional day for sure, but the whole event had such a great vibe with little kids’ events and activities for everyone,” Dick Dalton, Carmela’s husband and foundation treasurer, said. “You could see that people were having a really good time, so not only did we help raise money that will be put to such an important cause, but it was great to see families and students, including the boys hockey team, who were wearing Michael’s number, 17. Overall, just a special day.”
According to Dalton, the event grossed approximately $21,000.
The Daltons’ son, Michael, a hockey and football standout at St. Sebastian’s School who went on to star at Colby College, died in January 2018 at the age of 39 from an opiate overdose while in outpatient treatment.
The Daltons turned their personal tragedy into a mission focused on helping others with similar addiction issues become success stories. Along with their son, Jamie, and daughter, Stacey, the Daltons established the TOM, a 501(c)(3) charity, in June of 2019. The foundation provides financial aid to recovering addicted persons to help defray the cost of living at sober houses as they transition from rehabilitation to the real world and also provides scholarships to high-school students. The foundation has since expanded its mission to other endeavors, including job assistance, a topic near and dear to Boston Anthem singer and Essex County Sheriff’s Department Assistant Superintendent Todd Angilly.
“This hits close to home for me with the probation work I do,” said Angilly, who kicked off the event with the national anthem. “I see people struggling with addiction every day. What we do is help them transition back to work. We need to pay attention to this. When people get back to work it supports the entire family, as kids now see their moms and dads being productive with a job. It has a multi-generational impact.”
Event organizer and Ava Maria Parish Adolescent Faith Formation Coordinator Robyn Yannone said the event had its start as a virtual event last year, partnering with Ava Maria to help ninth- and 10th-grade confirmation students satisfy their community-service requirement and also offer families an opportunity to get outside and get some exercise.
“This year it’s just amazing as it brings awareness to a lot of students, which is our church’s purpose as an organization, while at the same time supporting the Daltons’ mission,” she said. “Young teens need to be aware. We want them to think of this as a part of their faith, which is all about helping those in need. I’m very proud of everyone who has participated. Today has been a big success.”
The Lynnfield High boys hockey team showed up in force to support the cause, including Assistant Coach Jay Gardner and junior Lucas Cook, the son of Stacey and nephew of Michael.
“I’m very close to the family, as I grew up with Michael. I played with him and against him when I was at UMass-Boston and he was at Colby,” Gardner said. “Obviously it’s so important to spread awareness because this disorder can happen to anyone. This epidemic does not discriminate.”
“This has been an incredible showing and so much fun today,” said Cook. “It means a lot to my family and obviously it’s so important for people to come with so many who are struggling with addiction.”
Huckleberry Hill School second-grader Emilia Bello, 7, put on a clinic during the hula-hoop contest.
“I really practiced for this and just try to shake my hips a lot,” she said, adding that she also enjoyed the walk.
In terms of race results, the following took home first place in their respective age/gender divisions: Dillon Reilly, 23:56 and Gabriella Bottaro, 24:50 (1-19); Bryan Mallett, 25:34 (20-29); Michael Lawoo, 28.36 and Julie Tammaro, 29.17 (30-39); Sean Sullivan, 20.48 and Kristen Dorsky, 24.11 (40-49); Mark Ellis, 27.17 and Andrea Braconnier, 27.33 (50-59), and 80-year-old Buddy Cummings, 36.08 and Kathy Eno, 30.46 (60-99).