SE benefit a success

After Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico in September, leaving much of the island without electricity, clean water, cell phone service and transportation, South End native Tessie Kelleher-Palmarin wanted to do something for the island that is part of her heritage. A waitress at La Motta's on Washington Street, Kelleher-Palmarin asked her manager about a benefit.

The Aquitaine Group, which operated LaMotta's, went above and beyond that and proposed a fundraiser, Boston Loves Puerto Rico, which took place on October 17 at La Motta's. Partygoers enjoyed Italian-style appetizers, two included drinks and the chance to win raffle prizes.

One hundred per cent of the benefit's proceeds will go to hurricane relief to be delivered through the local, all-volunteer group Boston Mothers Care.

The fundraiser sold out at 125 tickets, with additional donors giving the $50 ticket price as a donation and more than one benefactor matching a portion of ticket sales. "So many people who couldn't make it donated ahead of time. I can't wait to tally up [the proceeds]," La Motta's manager Joyce Parlapiano said.

Boston Mothers Care continued to accept donations through October 31, raising approximately $25,000 in addition to donations of supplies that were collected separately. Board members of Boston Mothers Care, which came together 7 years ago to provide support after the massively damaging earthquake in Haiti, will personally take the donations to Puerto Rico, where they will distribute them to communities in the rural northwestern area of the island.

"The community really came together. It would not have been possible if it weren't for every single person who donated items and bought tickets. We sold out in a week," Kelleher-Palmarin said.

Kelleher-Palmarin, whose paternal side is from Aguadilla, PR, is the cousin of Boston Mothers Care founding member and vice president, Inés Palmarin. South End realtor Mary Kelleher, Kelleher-Palmarin's mother, beamed with pride at her daughter's caring. "After the hurricane, Tessie called me up and said, 'Mom, the family in Puerto Rico are suffering. I have to do something."