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Local Runner Dedicates Feaster Five
Runs to Merrimack Valley Hospice




Local Runner Dedicates Feaster Five Runs to Merrimack Valley Hospice   Haverhill and Lawrence, Mass. – Even before Merrimack Valley Hospice became the beneficiary of the pledge program for this year’s Feaster Five Road Race on November 23rd, Dennis Curtis had been dedicating his runs to the agency. 

The Haverhill resident started dedicating his runs to Merrimack Valley Hospice in 2000 when he ran the Boston Marathon and raised close to $3,000 for the agency in memory of his best friend from childhood, Fran Boggiatto, who died of cancer.  Since then, he has been making the Feaster Five a tradition and each year raises nearly $1,000 for the agency in Fran’s memory.

“It’s a good cause and I get a lot of support from the people I work with, my friends and my family,” said Curtis, who is employed as the lead electrician at the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Andover.  “The work that Merrimack Valley Hospice does is so important.  Families really need that kind of help; that’s what motivates me.”

Dennis will be running this year alongside two of his colleagues from the Wastewater Treatment Plant,  Ray Mahoney and Sandy Grenier.  Mahoney, a North Andover resident, has been running the Feaster Five with his adult daughters whenever they are in town for the holiday since 1994.  Grenier, from Andover, marks her first Feaster Five run this year with her adult sons.  The three runners encourage each other and are excited to take part in the race again this year.

“We are thrilled to have someone like Dennis running for us, and we appreciate all of the support he has given us over the years,” said Joan Stygles Hull, president/CEO of Merrimack Valley Hospice.  “His efforts have helped countless hospice families over the years.  With people like Dennis out there raising pledges, it is going to help make our Hospice House a reality.”

Not surprisingly, Dennis has come to look forward to the Thanksgiving morning ritual. 

“I enjoy it, and I know that all of the work I do raising pledges helps families right here in this area,” said Curtis. “It’s a great organization and this is my way of helping out.”

Those interested in registering for next year’s race can learn more at
www.feasterfive.com. Runners and walkers are encouraged to participate in the pledge program that will be directed to the construction of the agency’s Hospice House here in the Merrimack Valley. Pledges can be sent directly to Merrimack Valley Hospice at 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843, or interested individuals can contact Janine Papesh, Development Manager, at 978-552-4162 or jpapesh@homehealthfoundation.org.

Merrimack Valley Hospice is a not-for-profit agency affiliated with Home Health VNA and HomeCare, Inc.  Together the three agencies serve more than 80 communities in the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire.  For more information, visit them on the web at
www.merrimackvalleyhospice.org.
 



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The December, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006
, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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