Fundraiser for Lukens family planned for January

In the wake of a tragic fire that took the lives of two young boys, four area groups are joining together for a fundraiser for the family.

“A Night for the Lukens Family” fundraiser will take place on Jan. 20 at Valley Forge Casino from 5-9 p.m. The fundraiser will aim to raise $200,000 for the family. All money raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and raffles will go directly to the family.

The Montgomery County Hero Fund, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office “Wheels of Justice” team, Irish Pub Children’s Foundation and the A-Team are all organizers of the fundraiser. All four groups are organizations dedicated to helping families of law enforcement and military as well as children.

The Montgomery County Hero Fund, begun in 2012 by Sean and Sharon Cullen in response to the murder of Plymouth Township Police Officer Brad Fox, is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to providing immediate and ongoing relief to law enforcement, veterans and other heroes during a time of crisis or following a death.

“Wheels of Justice” is the bicycling team organized by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office that is comprised of more than 200 members of law enforcement from throughout the county. The team rides each year in the Irish Pub’s Tour de Shore, raising money for the families of fallen first responders and the Montgomery County Hero Fund.

The Irish Pub Children’s Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money, primarily by organizing the Tour de Shore, for children in need and the families of fallen police officers and firefighters in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area.

The A-Team, started by local Collegeville businessman C.J. Santangelo, has been working for 20 years to help children and families in need through fundraising and outreach events.

January’s event will include food from area restaurants, drinks, and performances by Wildflower and Showtime DJ Mike Valyo. Multiple gift baskets will also be raffled off. Special guest appearances are being finalized and will be announced at a later date.

Tickets are $30 for police, firefighters, military and EMS and $50 for the general public. A reserved table of 10 is $450. Tickets can be purchased online at www.montgomerycountyherofund.com. The organizers hope to sell out the event in support of the loss of the family of a fellow Montgomery County lawenforcement officer and U.S military veteran.

The Montgomery County Hero Fund is paying for the hard costs associated with putting on the event so that 100 percent of the money raised can go directly to the Lukens family to help them rebuild their home and lives.

Event sponsorships are being sold: a “Chief Sponsorship” is $2,000, which includes a reserved table for 10 people, recognition at the event in signage, recognition on the website and in materials; and a “Captain Sponsorship” is $450, which includes four tickets and recognition with signs at the event, on the website and in materials. Companies interested in sponsoring should contact Sharon Cullen at kreativeimpressions@gmail.com or call 610-496-9974.

Donations of items for raffle baskets are also being sought. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at the law offices of Cullen & Conwell at 40 E. Main St., across from the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown.