SOUTHWICK – The Deedy family, owners of Moolicious Farm on Feeding Hills Road, believes in giving back.
Joseph Deedy said it’s just what they do.
“I grew up on welfare,” Deedy said. “Giving wasn’t something we did, but I think it’s what we should do.”
Deedy and his wife Kristi, and his sister Betz and her husband Kelly Magni, all believe in giving back and paying it forward.
“Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?” said Deedy. “When you see someone who needs help, you help.”
Last year Deedy took his idea of giving and extended it to several nonprofit groups and organizations fundraising for charities and youth.
“People wold come to me and ask for a donation for their fundraiser and they got a T-shirt and gift certificate, but we wanted to do more,” Deedy said. “A lot of people can’t pay to rent a hall for a fundriaser and I figured everybody eats breakfast and we have the space, so I started doing fundriaisng pancake breakfasts here.”
Last year, the Deedys helped raise $6,000 for local groups, including Team Justice Racing, Ryan’s Rally For Autism, Westfield Youth Football and others.
Moolicious kicked-off its fundraising season last week with a Relay For Life team breakfast. This Sunday from 8 a.m. – noon, Ryan’s Rally For Autism will hold its second annual fundraising breakfast.
The group is a Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks team that raises funds and awareness. That breakfast is $8 for adults and $6 for children and includes a raffle drawing and a Blue Photobooth fundraiser by Rzescotti Photography, both at additional costs.
Deedy said Moolicious splits the profits of the breakfast with the organization, keeping 25 percent to cover his costs and giving 75 percent to the hosting group.
“I think this is a way we can give more back, but it’s up to the group having the breakfast to get people in the seats,” said Deedy.
Deedy credited his wife for helping him help others.
“I couldn’t do this without her support,” he said.
The Deedys and their staff volunteer their time at the breakfast, and the host group also provides volunteers to take orders, serve and collect money.
Moolicious helps promote the events, putting up flyers that the non-profit provides.
“We put a notification on our website as well as our Facebook page,” he added.
Deedy said he does have some personal connections to some of the charities he supports through the breakfasts. His own mother is a cancer survivor, for example, and his nephew has autism.
Following the autism breakfast, the Policeman’s Association/Team Justice will host a breakfast April 19, including an Easter egg hunt. Westfield Youth Football is planning its second breakfast, and Westfield Youth Lacrosse will host a breakfast later this year.
“We like to do the breakfasts in spring and fall,” Deedy said.
Moolicious is open daily for lunch and ice-cream at 11 a.m. Ryan’s Rally For Autism’s breakfast is Sunday from 8 a.m. – noon and includes pancakes, sausage or bacon, and a beverage. All proceeds benefit the 2014 Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks, set for Sept. 20 at Stanley Park.
