(Additional photograph below.)
Several area nonprofits will receive sizeable infusions of cash for the new year after a charity event Sunday with former Patriot’s stars yielded more than $17,000 in proceeds.
Hall of Famer and former Patriots Cornerback Ty Law and former Tight End and 2001 Superbowl champion Jermaine Wiggins were on hand Sunday at Maria’s Restaurant in downtown Haverhill to support the Boys and Girls of Greater Haverhill, Haverhill Exchange and Lions Clubs as well as Pentucket Kiwanis. Maria’s Issa Zefta told WHAV how the event came together.
“I’ve been at so many different events and I met Ty Law and Jermaine Wiggins, and it was a major hit for a lot of the organizations that do fundraisers. So, we thought we’d bring them to Haverhill and help the community,” Zefta said.
Zefta, who has been in business in the city for more than 35 years, said he always tries to give back because, in his words, “the community has been great to us.”
Law, originally drafted to the Patriots in 1995 after graduating from the University of Michigan was one of the most dynamic cornerbacks that dominated the league for 15 seasons. Speaking to attendees, he praised the work of the Boys and Girls Club.
“It kept us on the right path and off the streets,” he said.
Speaking with WHAV, he discussed his experience growing up outside Pittsburgh, Penn. and how he always aims to give back “whatever the case is.”
“Anything you can be able to contribute whether its helping kids. Whatever the case is to be able to give back by giving some time, it’s always important and I’m happy to be able to do that,” he said.
The Haverhill Exchange Club, one of the event’s beneficiaries, recently donated $8,000 to Ozzie’s Kids as WHAV reported in December. Beth Laliberty, president of the club, said the event was a surprise and that “any amount that comes in will be welcome.”
“[This is] Maria’s decision to do this [event] and then when I bought my ticket, I saw part of this is going to go to the Exchange Club, Kiwanis, Rotary and obviously Boys and Girls Club. We didn’t know they were doing that until they decided to do it,” she said.
Javier Bristol, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Haverhill, praised Maria’s Restaurant for the event and for its place as a “staple within the community.”
“They always do so many great things to support us and support other organizations. Just for them to step up and do something like this where they’re bringing former NFL players and taking some of the proceeds to benefit nonprofits is amazing,” he said.
The event raised $17,501 from four attendees for a raffle that included a ticket for each individual to a Patriot’s game with field access and a private suite, a meet and greet and tailgate party with Ty Law.
Tony Pecci, representing the Lions Club. and Peter Carbone, representing Pentucket Kiwanis, were ecstatic.
“We love doing this, we love supporting the Boys and Girls Club, we do all year. We love doing it, we love helping. God bless the Boys and Girls Club and we hope they’re prosperous throughout the year,” Pecci said.
Carbone added, “We’re with Tony all the way. We’re thrilled to be here and we’re glad we were asked to be part of fundraising for the Boys and Girls Club.”
Law also sold several bottles of his Corvus liquor for $75 a bottle during the event. The total amount raised and how much each charity will receive was not immediately available.
Maria’s Restaurant owner Issa Zefta and Hall of Famer and former Patriots Cornerback Ty Law. (WHAV News photograph).