(Pictured: Display Supply & Lighting’s Shari McDowell’s husband Tom who was left partially paralyzed)
EDPA’s Northeast chapter brought together professionals in the event industry for a charitable cause at their annual “Rally at the Alley” fundraising event held at Splitsville Bowling Alley in Foxboro, Mass., for an evening of enjoyment, peer support and a collaborative effort to assist one of their own.
On May 2, more than 80 individuals attended, rallying behind Shari McDowell and her family. The event was able to generate $18,000 for Display Supply & Lighting’s Shari McDowell and her family. All proceeds generated through the generous donations from event industry professionals and organizations will be provided to the McDowell family to help them purchase a handicap accessible vehicle after a series of tragic events left Shari’s husband, Tom, partially paralyzed.
“This was our fourth annual rally and each has been more successful than the last,” says EDPA NorthEast Chapter President Mike Vallone. “This year we were able to raise $18,000 for the McDowell Family, which they intend to use to purchase a vehicle to allow them to transport Tom without outside assistance. We couldn’t be more grateful to be a part such a generous group of organizations. It’s amazing how colleagues and competitors alike come together to support our friends in need. A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and everyone who came out to take part in the event.”
Countless event industry professionals and 34 organizations took up the call, making significant donations to Rally at the Alley and the McDowell family. During the event, attendees enjoyed an evening of bowling, the company of their industry peers, and a heart-felt video in which Tom McDowell described his current situation and his gratitude to EDPA NorthEast and the event industry professionals and organizations who banded together to help him and his family in their time of need.
Numerous raffles also took place, increasing the amount of proceeds generated. In total, $18,000 was raised, which the McDowell family will use to purchase a handicap accessible vehicle capable of safely transporting Tom. The $18,000 donation generated at this year’s event is four times the amount as the first Rally at the Alley event which took place four years ago, showing that event industry professionals’ and organizations’ support of peers in need continues to grow.
EDPA Northeast is a network for leaders in the customer experience industry. It combines marketing, design, and production leadership to help organizations create effective face-to face customer experiences and environments for tradeshows, events, corporate environments, museums, retailers, education, and entertainment. For more info, visit http://edpanortheast.com.
