Organizers 'Blown Away' by Community Support at VFW Fundraiser

By 9:30 Sunday morning, a half hour after the doors opened, every table and chair at the  was taken. A long and steady line of people waited patiently to fill any spot that opened, while organizers scrambled to serve all the guests. Even with donations from  and other local businesses and community members, the large crowd and out-the-door lines prompted a run to the store for more eggs.

"I'm already out of fruit," Senior Vice Commander Steve Mattson said, with more than an hour of serving left to go. He worked as head omelet-maker for the day.  

Still, food was a secondary concern for most people, as volunteers and patrons alike had one cause on their minds: . Curtin is a Putnam man who lost part of his legs in an explosion in January, just weeks after he was deployed. 

Organizers hoped to raise anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 for Curtin and his family through the breakfast, a once-a-month fundraiser that usually brings in the former. April's event was dedicated specifically to the wounded marine, and coordinators exceeded their goal, bringing in an estimated $5,300.

"When the final number came in, I was absolutely blown away," he said, adding that having people come out "in such a big way" was amazing, especially given the economy. 

Volunteers and organizers lost count of how many people attended, Mattson said, but he estimated that more than 300 people showed. In many instances supporters wrote checks over the price of breakfast. Others were unable to stay for the meal but dropped off a contribution.

Curtin's aunt Michele Coyle-Hughes of White Plains thanked the crowd for everything. She encouraged all who attended to sign an address book, vowing that the family would thank each and every person.

For more on Curtin and ways to help, click here.