LYNNFIELD — Richard and Carmela Dalton credit their neighbors and a well-known town resident for helping to raise $107,000 to fight opioid addiction in the memory of their late son, Michael.
The couple started the Think of Michael Foundation in the wake of their son’s death two years ago from an opiate overdose.
Radio and television personality Billy Costa helped push the foundation’s fund-raising efforts at its second annual trivia night last Friday by donating two in-studio sessions for the weekend countdown show for 10 kids with a pizza party, said Dick Dalton.
Teenage fans of the radio show converged on the stage at Breakaway in Danvers when Costa announced the donation before scrambling to find their parents and beg them to bid on the studio sessions.
“Nobody knew he was going to do that, it was totally off the cuff,” said Dick Dalton, who organized the event along with his wife Carmela, daughter Stacey Cook and son Jamie Dalton. “We knew that he had told Jenn Burnham that he would do something, but this was just over the top. The reaction of the kids, including my grandson, was incredible as they were so excited and begging their parents to bid on it.”
Costa’s donations brought in the top dollars in the live auction with each session going for $4,500.
For Costa, who lived in Lynnfield for 27 years raising his family, the chance to help the Daltons and the foundation made the evening special.
“I was just thrilled to be here,” he said. “My family had a similar crisis and when it happened, we were totally blindsided. There is no magic formula, that’s the one thing I learned, also that it hits everyone regardless of income. Personally, I was terrified when it happened to my family.
“When Jenn (Burnham) asked me to do this, I said, ‘absolutely’ just let me check my schedule and, if available, I will be there. The Daltons and everyone involved have done such a wonderful job with this, and I, for one, was great to see so many former neighbors and friends tonight.”
Other big ticket auction items included a week at the Wyndham Rio Mar in Puerto Rico, donated by the Polansky family ($3,500); a round of golf for four at Oakmont Country Club just outside of Pittsburgh ($3,000); a police escorted ride to a Lynnfield location in Police Chief David Breen’s cruiser ($1,000) donated by the Police Department, and a fire engine ride to school (complete with lights and sirens) for three donated by the Fire Department ($1,000) and won by realtor Ellen Crawford.
“She told everybody that she wanted that fire truck ride for her grandchild, and she was bound and determined to get it,” Dalton said.
The event also featured a hefty silent auction along with a roomful of raffle gift baskets.
The silent auction featured numerous gift cards to several restaurants including Dinner for Four at Tonno ($400 value); Su Chang’s ($200); The Capital Grille in Burlington ($500) and Kings ($110 bowling party for six).
Sports packages included tickets for two Bruins games and Celtics games as well as tickets for three Boston University men’s hockey games.
Beauty packages included a Spring “Glow Up” basket ($450); Yoga and Relaxation basket ($150); Clicker’s Salon basket ($200), and TreNoi Hair Salon basket ($150).
“Overall, we had a very satisfying turnout with about 450 attendees and it was a great night all-around,” said Dalton. “I think the evening was similar to last year, but it was the auction that made the difference.”
Dalton said last year’s live auction netted approximately $16,000, while this year’s netted more than $36,000.
Among the many people thanked by Dalton, were the members of the committee.
“They worked endless hours in our family room which at times resembled a turn-of-the century sweatshop,” said Dalton. “They worked on the floor tirelessly, and (my wife) Carmela and I want to tell you from the bottom of our hearts, ‘we love you.’
“We set out a year ago determined for some good to come out of greatest loss, never thinking that we would accomplish all that we have in this short period of time.
We want to make sure that Michael, who was always first to help anyone — family, friends and strangers — will now forever be helping others in need as he did in life.”
The Daltons will be honored Tuesday night at the 3rd annual Essex Media Group Persons of the Year reception at the Lynn Museum for their work on behalf of the Think of Michael Foundation.
