Peabody firefighters honored at fundraiser

PEABODY – Peabody firefighters were honored last night by Making A Difference in Peabody Foundation, Inc., during their annual Cocktail Fundraiser at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield.For the last seven years, the charitable organization offers a variety of assistance for low-income or unemployed residents of Peabody, as well as those in need of emergency relief. Through their own private funding, the foundation provides rent assistance to those in jeopardy of foreclosure, heating and electricity help, food, clothing, and even shelter in extreme cases.”We’ve assisted several families through several fires over the last year,” said Scott Frasca, the organization’s founder and president. “We most recently assisted the Highlands at Dearborn fire victims. We helped substantially in that effort.”It was during that time, Frasca said, that he really understood just how much effort Peabody firefighters put into saving the lives of others. He commended them for “doing their job” and for “controlling a fire that could have become much more devastating than it was.””We saw what type of fire that was,” he recalled. “The impact the fire department had is worthy of being recognized by this organization?This was a huge thing.”So, for the first time ever, the foundation presented a President’s Award, and chose the fire department as the admirable recipients.”It’s supposed to be something special that goes to someone or a group of people who have made an impact on the lives of the community,” Frasca explained. “And it may not be an annual thing, unless something just as worthy happens at this time next year.”Since Frasca started the group, several community leaders have joined to serve as board leaders and liaisons in all the public schools, as well as in city hall, the police department, and fire department.”If a child shows up at school with an issue?the liaison will know by the morning, and we can help right away,” said Frasca.Frasca said the whole idea of the organization and its award giving last night was to encourage others to make a difference, no matter how big or small, in their community.