Lupus Benefit Show Raises $8,000

A recent Benefit Concert for Lupus at Bridge Street Live netted $8,000 for the James Vicevich Fund for Lupus and other Rheumatologic Diseases at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. 

"I'm overwhelmed with the support of the community and businesses that helped support and raise funds for this great cause,” said Jules Poirier, whose company, Jules Poirier Company, LLC, sponsored the show. “I think it's important to help our fellow friends and neighbors.” 

Poirier and Vicevich, best known as a WTIC radio personality, recently presented the check to hospital officials. 

During the show Vicevich said the goal is establish a Lupus Center of Excellence, a patient support facility that would be part of the Hospital of Central Connecticut. 

Poirier also submitted this letter of thanks to those who supported the March 23 concert. 

Dear Canton Patch Readers:

Jules Poirier Company, LLC, is proud of the overwhelming support from the community for the Benefit Concert for Lupus we presented at Bridge Street Live in Collinsville on March 23. We are pleased not only that tickets for the event sold out in advance but that awareness was raised about lupus and the need for the best treatment to be available in our region as those who live with this disease wait for a cure to be discovered.  

First and foremost, we would like to thank our friend Jim Vicevich for his help putting together the event and, of course, for his inspiring words to kick off the special evening. The staff at Bridge Street Live did a wonderful job the night of the event, as did my tireless and amazing volunteers: Julia Poirier, Irena Joas, Jimmy Gardner.

The concert was a smashing success thanks in no small part to the talented musicians who kindly accepted our invitation to perform: Steve Jones and the Garden City Hot Club; Jr. Krauss and the Shakes; Violent Mae (Becky Kessler & Floyd Kellogg). Thank you! 

All proceeds from the concert will be directed to a future treatment center for lupus at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, projected to open in 2014. Our event raised additional funds for this important cause through a Raffle and Silent Auction. We would like to thank these businesses and individuals for their generous donations:

ABC Pizza
AccuConstruct Services LLC
AfterGlow
America the Beautiful Country Store
The Bagel Deli
Bill Driscoll
Bridge Street Live
Chic Furniture of Canton 
Collinsville Canoe & Kayak
Collinsville Screen Printing
CrossFit Legitimus
Crown & Hammer Pub
CT Whale
David Vaudreuil
Dowd Insurance Agency
Downright Music & Art
Dynamic Auto
Eastern Mountain Sports
The Equestrian Center Inc.
Farmington Woods Country Club
Francesca's Wine Bar & Bistro
Jessie Kaminski of It Works
Jon Art Tattoo
Eileen Kaminski 
Koster Family Chiropractic
LaSalle Market
La Trattoria Restaurant
Larsen Ace Hardware
The Law Firm of Lockaby & Perreault, LLC
MOROCCANOIL Beauty Products
Olive Bar
Petals & Paws Pet & Garden
Realty Works
Rice Fields
Rootz Salon 
Saybrook Fish House
Scotty's Spirit Shop
Valley Energy Co.
Village Cafe and Bistro
Village Sweet Shoppe

Thank you once again to everyone who purchased tickets, bought a t-shirt, made a donation or otherwise supported this benefit concert. 

Sincerely,
Jules Poirier
Jules Poirier Company, LLC