BURRILLVILLE – Over the past seven years, Crystal Verrier has raised more than $35,000 for a non-profit that benefits local veterans – and she’s far from done her efforts for the cause.
With the help of friends and family, Verrier has organized a comedy show, to be held at the Assembly Theatre at 26 East Ave. on Friday, April 17 to benefit Run to Home Base. Frank Santos Jr. will perform at the Team Tru Heroes fundraiser, an event set to start at 5:30 p.m. with raffles and refreshments before the talent takes the stage at 7 p.m.
A national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for veterans, service members, military families and families of the fallen, Home Base provides clinical care, wellness programs, education and research – at no out-of-pocket cost. The organization, founded by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation in 2009, offers help to those who need it – regardless of their era of service, discharge status or location.
Verrier’s team is among 202 registered to take part in Home Base’s most critical annual fundraiser, a 5K walk/run through Boston scheduled for Saturday, July 25. Participants will weave through some of the city’s most scenic neighborhoods before crossing “home base” at historic Fenway Park.
The event provides vital funds for the Home Base program, which offers world-class direct clinical care and support for veterans and families, according to the organization’s website.
A North Smithfield native who moved to Burrillville five years ago, Verrier has held events to benefit the organization for the past seven. Past fundraisers held at Bravo Brewing Company in Pascoag have raised a total of $35,000 – and this year’s effort could be the greatest yet.
“This year I wanted to change things up,” she said.
The cause, she notes, hits close to home.
“I do have a lot of family and friends that are active military or veterans,” she said
Verrier notes she got involved with the run thanks to her cousin, Chris Lanctot of Blackstone,Mass., who has participated every year since the event’s inception. Her best friend, Jen McCoy of Coventry, an active military member, will also join Team Tru Heroes as they fundraise – and eventually cross the finish line this summer.
For their supporters, the April 17 event will offer a unique night out. A performer in the region for more than 15 years, Santos uses a blend of comedy and hypnosis, where the audience becomes part of the act
Tickets for the 21 plus event cost $30 in advance purchased here or $40 at the door.
