WESTFIELD-Heroes live among us every day and for Shea Braceland, on Monday night at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church she thanked hundreds of them.
Shea Braceland is all smiles as she carries more than $7,600 raised from Monday night’s concert to benefit the Powdermill Village Apartments fire victims. (Submitted photo)
Braceland was embraced by friends, family and neighbors for her coordination of a concert of hope and inspiration titled “Shea Braceland with Dan Kane and Friends: Helping Our Neighbors.”
The benefit raised more than $7,600 which will assist the 21 families displaced by a fire on April 22 at the Powdermill Village Apartments on Union Street.
During a break in the 17-song set, Braceland extended a thank you to all in attendance for supporting the freewill offering concert and explained why she felt compelled to organize a fundraiser for the fire victims.
“Sitting in this church a month ago I heard Father Dan (Pacholec) talk about the fire and just thinking about it was devastating,” said Braceland, adding she asked her mother Jeanine to drive by the site later that day.
“When we saw the charred remains of the building I wondered how I would feel if I lost everything,” said Braceland, noting that is when she brainstormed with her mother and came up with the idea of the concert. Both mom and daughter are members of Dan Kane and Friends.
Jeanine Braceland and her daughter Shea perform “You’ve Got A Friend” during Monday night’s concert.
The audience’s reaction to Braceland, age 12, was immediate applause.
Since that initial conversation, Braceland asked her friends and fellow singers if they would volunteer their time to rehearse and be a part of the special fundraiser.
“I want to say thank you to Shea for inviting me to be a part of the concert,” said Chloe Reed, before she did a solo of “Amazing Grace.”
Traci Mnich echoed those sentiments prior to her solo performance.
“When Shea asked me to be a part of the concert I said yes without hesitation,” said Mnich who performed “From a Distance.” “We’ve been given these gifts to share and I know someone else is watching from upstairs.”
The pews were filled on Monday night at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church as Shea Braceland, center in white, takes the stage with Dan Kane and Friends, for a concert to benefit the fire victims at the Powdermill Village Apartments.
Halfway through the concert a basket was passed through the pews for donations which will be split evenly between the 21 families.
“We raised over $7,600 and we know there is more coming,” said Jeanine Braceland.
After the 90-minute concert ended at 8:30, many area residents went up to greet Shea and Jeanine Braceland to thank them for coordinating an inspirational evening of music. Others upon leaving the church commented to volunteers who were assisting with the night’s event.
Jeanine Braceland noted her stepmother, Sandy Fiedler, was standing at the door as a woman blessed herself with holy water and then turned to Sandy.
“The woman said, ‘HE, (as she pointed to the sky), is working overtime tonight,’”reiterated Jeanine Braceland. “I feel a miracle happened here tonight. I am now going to go out and continue this miracle. I’m sure everyone else here will too.”
Braceland said that encounter relayed to her brought tears to her eyes.
“There were so many people who came up to me with beautiful stories of hardship turned to hope,” said Jeanine Braceland.
Braceland added that one of the families who lost their home in the fire had originally sung with the Dan Kane Singers and were sitting in the front row.
“I couldn’t take my eyes off of them during the show,” said Jeanine Braceland. “I am so glad they came to the concert.”
As Shea Braceland concluded her remarks before her last solo of “Hero,” she said it meant a lot to her and the families that hundreds of area residents filled the church with so much love.
Emma Masciadrelli, 6, was eager to see her sister Alexis, perform during Monday night’s concert. Emma is seen with her mother Erika Masciadrelli.
“You are all my heroes today as well as the 21 families,” said Braceland.
Accompanists for the event included musical instructor Dan Kane on keyboard, Bobby Ferrier on guitar, and Norm Fiedler on piano.
“Last night’s concert was a great success,” said Kane. “It was the culmination of a young lady’s desire to help others in need. Her singer friends answered the call in full force. From the moment the singers entered the church, they were greeted with loud and grateful applause. Shea and her mom reminded all of us of our better selves and the great things that friends can accomplish together in the name of music.”
For persons still interested in making a donation to help the fire victims, funds can be dropped off at the church office during regular business hours or can be mailed to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA 01085.
For Emma Masciadrelli, 6, sitting with her mother Erika prior to the performance, the night was extra special.
“I wanted to be here because my sister Alexis is singing and to support the families,” she said.
