WESTFIELD-The Regan family invites area residents to join them next month as they host an annual pasta supper to raise funds for the Greater New England Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The dinner benefit, slated Feb. 23 from 6 to 10 p.m., is planned at the Westfield Lodge of Elks on Franklin Street. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance by contacting Regan family members or by visiting the Elks Lodge. The deadline to purchase tickets is Feb. 20.
The Regan family will host a Multiple Sclerosis Spaghetti Dinner Benefit Feb. 23 and welcomes the community to join them. (Submitted photo)
“Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has impacted our family and we know firsthand how difficult it can be,” said Mary Regan, who along with extended family and many friends, will be hosting the annual event. “My mom, Betty Ann Regan, was diagnosed with MS at age 42 and passed in 1997. My oldest brother, Tom Regan, also has MS.”
Proceeds raised from the dinner each year support the Regan Racers who participate in the regional MS Walk which is slated this year in Longmeadow on May 5.
“I had learned about the walk through a radio advertisement and knew if I got the ball rolling there would be 100 percent support from my family,” said Allison Kelleher Sullivan. “It started as an event we could participate in in memory of my great-grandmother and in tribute to my grandfather. It was easy for the Regan’s to come together and rally for this cause because we have all seen this disease take a toll on our loved ones in some way. It’s a cause close to all of our hearts.”
Kelleher Sullivan noted that the Greater New England MS Society, a part of the National MS Society, supports persons locally who are living with MS.
“Our fundraising event has far-reaching effects,” said Kelleher Sullivan. “If you like good music, amazing raffle prizes, Uncle Gerry’s catering, and the gift of gab from the ‘Old Aunts,’ come to the Regan Racers pasta supper.”
Regan echoed those sentiments.
“I think the main reasons to attend are to help people who have MS and to fund research to eradicate MS,” said Regan.
The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs, sausage, peppers and onions, salad, and beverage. Homemade desserts from the Regan family – and friends – will range from brownies and cupcakes to an assortment of cookies.
During the evening, disc jockey Peter Cowles will keep the tunes spinning – especially as the night unfolds when kids are welcome to sing and dance.
“The dinner is a kid-friendly event,” said Regan.
Prizes during the event will also be raffled off – ranging from gift certificates to a 40” flat screen television, a massage from Optimum Health Therapeutic Massage in Westfield, and a certificate to The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick for four players. For businesses or individuals interested in donating a raffle prize for the benefit, contact Regan via email to [email protected].
“Any money we raise as a result of fundraising helps sponsor the Regan Racers,” said Regan.
Kelleher Sullivan first approached her family and friends about the team walk in 2009.
“The Regans are a large, loving family with a lot of pride so when everyone gets together it never surmounts to anything small,” said Kelleher Sullivan. “Raising funds was a joint effort and included things from sponsored dress down days at the Mass Maritime Academy, corn beef sandwich sales at a local school, hosting a psychic medium event, and the infamous Regan Racers pasta supper.”
After participating in the first walk in 2009, Kelleher Sullivan said she noticed the MS Society sponsored additional fundraising events.
“I was hoping to inspire others to join our walk team by pushing the limits myself and attempt my first marathon,” said Kelleher Sullivan. “My motivation was so powerful because my grandfather loss the use of his legs and I wanted to put my able-bodied self out there and accomplish this goal while I still could.”
Kelleher Sullivan also designed a shirt for Regan Racers with a past, present and future mantra.
“The logo signifies the past for Nana Betty Ann Regan, the present for Tom Regan, and the future to end MS,” said Kelleher Sullivan.
Kelleher Sullivan’s first marathon with the MS Strides Team was in 2010 because the Regan Racers had been the top team raising $3,613 for the MS Walk in Forest Park, Springfield, in 2009.
“I had never experienced the Boston Marathon as a spectator never mind as a racer so needless to say having my first marathon experience as a charity runner with the Marathon Strides Multiple Sclerosis Team was an unforgettable achievement made even more meaningful by the never-ending support from my family, extended family and husband Ryan (then boyfriend),” said Kelleher Sullivan.
By 2012, both Kelleher Sullivan and her husband ran for the charity in the Boston Marathon so they had to get “creative” to raise funds.
“It was tough with both of us raising funds,” said Kelleher Sullivan. “Training in Boston in the winter is unmerciful but I would take a snowy day run over the heat any day. Ryan finished and I clocked out around mile 18 in rough shape. He was shocked to see me cheering him on at mile 25 with his family on the sidelines but it was great to see him run in his first marathon.”
Participating in the 2014 Boston Marathon proved to be “very moving” for Kelleher Sullivan after the events of 2013 which saw two homemade pressure cooker bombs detonate near the finish line of the race, killing three people and injuring several hundred others.
“I was honored to share the course with those impacted from the previous year and to be part of signifying such a movement of strength – Boston Strong and MS Strong,” said Kelleher Sullivan. “I had my best marathon time yet perhaps not one most runners would brag about but I’m still proud of my 5:05.”
Kelleher Sullivan noted that while she had hoped to run the Boston Marathon every other year until a cure was found for MS, charity bibs had been reduced and her life went from running races to chasing toddlers.
“I hope to make a marathon comeback for the cause soon,” said Kelleher Sullivan, adding, “2020 would be awesome.”
Since the Regan family and friends started raising funds for MS, they have raised $23,000 for Regan Racers from the dinners and Kelleher Sullivan and her husband have raised another $18,000 for the Boston Marathon MS Team.
For information on how fundraising dollars are used by the National MS Society, visit https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate.
