Saugus Military Families holds fundraiser

SAUGUS – About 100 people packed Giggles Comedy Club inside Prince Pizzeria Wednesday night to help raise money for Saugus Military Families.The first annual Saugus Military Families Comedy Night had been in the works for almost three months, according to treasurer Lynne Cardinale, who was running the 50-50 raffle and selling Saugus Military Family T-shirts and sweatshirts Wednesday night.President Diane Blengs said the money raised Wednesday night will all go toward postage for the care packages that the group sends out to local troops overseas.?We?ve been selling tickets for a couple of months, but we didn?t sell out,” said Blengs. “A lot of people told us they would buy tickets at the door and it looks like they are. I?m happy with it. We?ve already broke even and made some money. But of course if we could make the maximum amount of money that would be great.”People sat at more than two dozen tables, enjoying tray after tray of pizza along with wine, beer and soda.At 8 p.m., the comedy show began, as three of Giggles? regular comedians, Tommy V, Artie Januario and Greg Murphy entertained the crowd.According to Blengs, there are about 25 people in Saugus Military Families and there are currently six active service members from Saugus serving overseas.?These are all local boys and girls,” said Blengs. “Five boys and one girl. We send them care packages like toiletries, snacks, socks, books. People donate all that stuff. We have collection bins at the Town Hall and the Saugus Senior Center.”Cardinale has a son in the Navy, Lt. j.g. Craig Cardinale, who is stationed in the Persian Gulf on board the destroyer the USS Porter.?He left on the Enterprise, which is the largest aircraft carrier in the world,” said Cardinale. “He was on a special destroyer squadron on the Enterprise. Now he?s back on his own ship which is the USS Porter.”Cardinale said his deployment is being cut short and he will soon be heading back to the United States.?His next assignment is on a ship based out of Florida and they need him now,” said Cardinale. “I?m thankful. He?s coming home probably in a couple of weeks ? then he has to report to Florida.”Ken Boyd, who is in the Air National Guard, helped organize Wednesday?s event and said he was happy with the huge crowd that showed up.?This is phenomenal,” said Boyd. “This is a great turnout. We had a lot of people buying at the door which is really good so I?m very happy.”Anyone interested in donating to Saugus Military Families can find drop boxes at Town Hall and at the Senior Center.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].