Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome back. Today we're here to tell you all about the bocce tournament that is coming up to benefit the Ellie Fund being put on by Quincy Firefighters Local 792 on Saturday, September 26, a week from tomorrow, 11 o' clock at the South Quincy Social Club on Washington Street. Quincy Point firefighter Mike Griffith is here with all the details. Great to see you, Mike.
[00:00:19] Speaker B: Thanks, you too, Joe. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.
[00:00:21] Speaker A: Appreciate it. We've been able to promote this event for the past several years.
[00:00:24] Speaker B: Yes. You've been great asset to us to publicize this and get the word out. So it's a great resource. So thank you.
[00:00:30] Speaker A: Yeah, you're welcome. We're happy to do it. As I understand, at least 15 years.
[00:00:35] Speaker B: Yes, at least 15 years.
[00:00:36] Speaker A: Wow.
[00:00:37] Speaker B: Like I said, I've been on 12 years. It's been going on for longer than that. And I know the guy took over. Ralph Blight.
[00:00:42] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:00:43] Speaker B: He's been doing it for years before that. And I had a great role model look up to take this over from.
[00:00:48] Speaker A: Yeah. How's that been for you?
[00:00:49] Speaker B: It's been good. Yeah, It's a lot. I'm very lucky. Our union, Local 792, we're committed to community, so I run the public relations for the union.
[00:00:58] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:00:58] Speaker B: So we do a lot of events to benefit the community. So like for instance, this is for breast cancer in the wintertime. We do bowling for Alzheimer's. We do the senior cookout. We help out with that.
[00:01:09] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:01:10] Speaker B: That's a big thing our union wants to do is give back to the community for having us as a fire department.
[00:01:16] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:01:17] Speaker B: It's a show our gratitude.
[00:01:18] Speaker A: Great to see. Yeah. So. And I know that a lot of the union members will participate in this event.
[00:01:24] Speaker B: This is a fun day. It's a lot of fun.
[00:01:26] Speaker A: This is one of the big ones.
[00:01:28] Speaker B: It's family oriented and we have a bouncy house.
The parking lot's blocked off, so we have some sidewalk chalk if you want to bring the kids, like for bouncy houses and stuff. So just trying to make it more well rounded.
[00:01:39] Speaker A: Yeah. And it's to benefit the Ellie Fund, which is responsible for breast cancer research and also assisting families impacted by breast cancer.
[00:01:47] Speaker B: Right. Yes, it does. That's why we want to help out as much as we can.
We have some wives of Oz that are currently battling breast cancer.
So it's like, it comes like full circle for us. And this is. We did this before even any of that happened.
[00:02:04] Speaker A: Right.
[00:02:04] Speaker B: So it's great to see that benefit goes to something good.
[00:02:07] Speaker A: Yeah. Why bocce Mike?
[00:02:09] Speaker B: I don't know.
[00:02:10] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:02:10] Speaker B: I'm not sure Ralph did it and I don't know.
[00:02:14] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:02:14] Speaker B: Maybe back in the day, because there was a lot more Italians on the fire department. So we do that in bowling. So it's kind of like the same thing, watching bowling. Yeah, exactly.
[00:02:23] Speaker A: One's. One's outdoor, one's indoors.
[00:02:25] Speaker B: Exactly. Yep.
[00:02:27] Speaker A: So it's again, Saturday, September 26, 11:00am so exactly what would be happening that day?
[00:02:32] Speaker B: So we have. We have live music, we have a dj. His name is Brian Lynn Garland. She helps us a lot with our event. She's the bartender. And then Brian's Lynn's husband.
[00:02:41] Speaker A: Oh, okay.
[00:02:42] Speaker B: So they help us out a lot.
[00:02:43] Speaker A: So it's a family affair.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: It is a yes.
[00:02:44] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:02:45] Speaker B: We have hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, soft drinks and stuff is included in the $20 you're gonna pay to have the team. There will be a cash bar available as well for that.
Just all the time. Just fun day.
[00:03:01] Speaker A: Yeah. And some raffles.
[00:03:02] Speaker B: Lots of raffles. We got like Drifters, Liberty Tavern, Kilroy's to Mason's, Quincy. Cannabis donated. Big giant basket. Okay. So they're a great supporter. Just wide variety of different restaurants and places in Quincy's, like Curry Hardware, for instance. So it's not just all food, it's a variety of different raffle prizes throughout the city.
[00:03:27] Speaker A: Yeah. So, I mean, a lot of local businesses back this, right?
[00:03:30] Speaker B: Yes. That helps a lot. Get their support.
[00:03:34] Speaker A: I'm sure that when you go out and ask for help, just about everybody's been impacted by, if not breast cancer, some form of cancer. So they're happy to help.
[00:03:43] Speaker B: Yeah, that's what most people say. Thank you. I know someone like a close family member that had it. And they know the LE Fund by name.
[00:03:50] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:03:50] Speaker B: So it helps that Ellie Fund's a popular name, that people know too, where the money's going to go to.
[00:03:56] Speaker A: Yeah, the fund itself, the Ellie Fund. I did a little, just a quick background.
It's 30 years old this year, actually. The Ellie Fund, it's based in Needham. So it's a local organization. It's a registered 501 nonprofit corporation. And, you know, they'll help folks battling breast cancer and their families with things like groceries, so gift cards, you know, for groceries, transportation, which is very, very important, you know, when you're trying to get to and from medical appointments.
So they'll help arrange transportation and maybe, you know, subsidize some of it with say, a Ride share or taxi rider, things like that. Or public transportation as well.
[00:04:34] Speaker B: That's awesome.
[00:04:35] Speaker A: Yeah.
They'll provide some light housekeeping if folks are struggling, you know, trying to keep up their households while they're at the dog.
[00:04:42] Speaker B: It's not easy.
[00:04:43] Speaker A: Things you don't even think of, you know.
[00:04:44] Speaker B: Exactly. It's the little things that add up.
[00:04:47] Speaker A: Yeah. As you're trying to deal with this big issue.
[00:04:49] Speaker B: Exactly.
[00:04:50] Speaker A: Of breast cancer, to have these little things taken care of is a huge help. Yes.
[00:04:53] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:04:54] Speaker A: They'll arrange for childcare if needed.
Senior care if maybe somebody who's being treated was taking care of a senior.
Now they can't do that anymore. So they'll arrange.
It's huge. And then some in your home care if necessary, arranging it with care providers.
[00:05:11] Speaker B: That's huge. As a local, which is good.
[00:05:13] Speaker A: And it's local. Yeah. They'll provide some prepared meals if need be.
Delivery services now. So the money that you're donating is going to a great cause.
[00:05:24] Speaker B: Yes. That goes right to them.
We're selling T shirts this year.
[00:05:28] Speaker A: Tell me about those T shirts.
[00:05:29] Speaker B: So T Shirt Master and Quincy Point is going to make some T shirts up for us.
[00:05:32] Speaker A: Local.
[00:05:33] Speaker B: Yep. We sell them for $20. And the proceeds from the cost of is going to go straight to the Ellie fund.
[00:05:39] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:05:40] Speaker B: From the difference.
[00:05:41] Speaker A: Now, do you know how many teams are signed up right now?
[00:05:43] Speaker B: I don't know right now.
I think they sign up through Lynn. She's in charge of that. The contact information will be broadcasted on the show.
[00:05:51] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:05:52] Speaker B: But at least. There's always at least 10 teams. 15 times 15. 10 to 15 teams. It just keeps on moving. So there's two courts. It's always. And while that's going on, there's music, this food.
[00:06:04] Speaker A: So it's a really. About how long does it go? Starts at 11. About how long does it go?
[00:06:07] Speaker B: Some nights ago it's still like five or six. Oh, it does. Yes. The late nights, especially raffles, that's like one of the big hits. So we usually pull those closer to the end. So that way.
[00:06:16] Speaker A: So everybody stays for the raffles.
[00:06:17] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, exactly. Or you can put your phone number on. We can call you.
[00:06:21] Speaker A: So now is it a. Is it a competition? Is there going to be a winner?
[00:06:24] Speaker B: There is gonna be a winner.
[00:06:25] Speaker A: There is. Okay.
[00:06:26] Speaker B: The prize is still yet to be determined, so. But it usually does involve something.
[00:06:30] Speaker A: A golden bocce ball.
[00:06:32] Speaker B: So usually trophy. Trophy. Trophies are gift cards.
[00:06:36] Speaker A: But mainly it's to support the.
[00:06:38] Speaker B: And everyone's. Have a good time to have fun. So that's a big thing, is have fun and raise money for a great cause.
[00:06:42] Speaker A: If I don't have a team, is that okay? Can I show up?
[00:06:45] Speaker B: Yes, you can show up that day, single, doubles, and we can throw you on a team if you. If we can.
Like last year we had a guy showed up in Quincy Senior center, said, hey, I saw the ad. Do you mind if I get on a team? We made teams, a team for him, and it was great.
[00:07:00] Speaker A: So do you have to know how to play bocce?
[00:07:01] Speaker B: No, I don't even know how to play. And I tried it once and it was pretty good. Just got to get the big ball, the little hole without hitting it. Yep, exactly.
[00:07:08] Speaker A: So.
So yeah, no experience necessarily.
[00:07:12] Speaker B: No experience. Like, no.
If you're single, double, you can make a team up. So just. Or if you want to just come and drop by and do raffles and have a cheeseburger and a hot dog and hang out and stuff like that, you're more than welcome to.
[00:07:24] Speaker A: Actually, we should mention that the. The $20 includes lunch, right?
[00:07:27] Speaker B: It does include lunch and soft drinks.
[00:07:29] Speaker A: Yes. All right. Okay. And certainly you more if you'd like.
[00:07:32] Speaker B: Yes. Yep. And then Ralph is. Will be there off to the side as well. Okay.
[00:07:36] Speaker A: Is there still opportunity for folks to make donations to your raffles?
[00:07:40] Speaker B: I'm working on it now. I'm trying to come up, but find a Venmo. I'm working on that currently.
[00:07:45] Speaker A: Okay. So better folks want to put up baskets.
[00:07:48] Speaker B: Yeah. If people want to donate basket, my email is going to be broadcasted.
[00:07:52] Speaker A: Yeah, we got your city email up there.
[00:07:54] Speaker B: Feel free to send me an email, say, hey, like to donate a basket, be raffled. Okay. You have up until, say, next Friday.
[00:08:00] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:08:01] Speaker B: Because I want. I gotta make a list up and the signs for Saturday morning.
[00:08:04] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:08:04] Speaker B: If they do, I greatly appreciate all the support.
[00:08:07] Speaker A: Okay. Speaking of, do you need help that day, Mike, or before?
[00:08:11] Speaker B: I should have enough guys in the firehouse coming by, stepping up to help cook do the raffles. Like I said, Lynn does the bar, Brian does the dj. So.
But no, if people want to help, they can just stop by and show support. That's the biggest help we can ask for.
[00:08:25] Speaker A: Okay. And do you kind of take over the whole club for that day?
[00:08:28] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:08:28] Speaker A: Since there's nothing else going on.
[00:08:30] Speaker B: No, that's exactly. Yeah. We got both two courts for us all day, so.
[00:08:33] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:08:34] Speaker B: But yeah, enrich Pat Nelly down there. He's been. He's a huge help. He helps us organize this and Set up every.
[00:08:41] Speaker A: Will it be fire apparatus?
[00:08:43] Speaker B: There might be. They'll probably come by for food so
[00:08:47] Speaker A: kids get to play with the sirens and blow the air horns.
[00:08:49] Speaker B: I'm sure we can do like a little mini touch truck. I'm sure when they come down. So we make that happen.
[00:08:54] Speaker A: Everybody loves it, not just kids. Exactly.
[00:08:56] Speaker B: I still love going to fight truck every day.
[00:08:59] Speaker A: And so again, reach out to you through your city. Email is the best way. Or on social media, too.
[00:09:05] Speaker B: We have a fire Facebook page.
Friends and family of Quincy fire.
[00:09:09] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:09:09] Speaker B: You can message on that.
Me and two other guys run the Facebook post so I get the messages as well.
[00:09:15] Speaker A: Nice.
[00:09:15] Speaker B: So feel free to shoot a message if any questions come up through that.
[00:09:18] Speaker A: Okay. And do you know about how much the event goes. Raises, Mike? Every year.
[00:09:24] Speaker B: We did last year. I'd say. I think we made $3,000 last year.
[00:09:26] Speaker A: Okay. All right. So that's great. And is there, like, a formal presentation to the Ellie Fund after?
[00:09:31] Speaker B: There is. So we used to do it every year, but now I just do it every two years instead. Meet up. So this. After the end of this, I'm gonna meet up with them. We have a nice big check.
[00:09:39] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:09:40] Speaker B: They usually meet us at the firehouse with the. With the fire trucks and stuff.
[00:09:43] Speaker A: Gotcha.
[00:09:43] Speaker B: And do a nice presentation.
[00:09:44] Speaker A: Yeah. Nice. Okay. Very good.
[00:09:46] Speaker B: Yeah, they're very great. Easy to get a hold of. Never had a hiccup.
[00:09:49] Speaker A: Yeah. So you've had a great relationship with them as well.
[00:09:52] Speaker B: Yes. I was lucky. I took over from Ralph.
[00:09:54] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:09:54] Speaker B: And Ralph. Ralph is great at communicating people, so he made it very easy for me to carry on.
[00:10:00] Speaker A: Just. Just move into his steps.
Will he be there, by the way?
[00:10:04] Speaker B: He's gonna be there. Okay. Ralph's gonna make an appearance. Okay. Is he playing?
Maybe he hasn't shown yet.
[00:10:11] Speaker A: All right.
[00:10:11] Speaker B: But I know he'll be there.
[00:10:12] Speaker A: Retirement life, you know?
[00:10:13] Speaker B: Exactly.
[00:10:14] Speaker A: Yeah.
It sounds like it's gonna be a lot of fun. It's. You know, I'm assuming you get colleagues from the police department and other workers that participate as well. Yeah, yeah.
[00:10:23] Speaker B: It's a lot of fun. City hall makes a team every year and stuff like that, so.
[00:10:26] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:10:27] Speaker B: Yeah, it's a lot of fun.
[00:10:28] Speaker A: Yeah, it sounds like it.
Out of out of city folks. Welcome.
[00:10:32] Speaker B: Anyone's. Anyone's welcome.
[00:10:33] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:10:33] Speaker B: Feel free to come on by. Do you reach out?
[00:10:35] Speaker A: So, like, the firefighter network?
[00:10:38] Speaker B: No, I probably should, but. Okay, maybe I will.
[00:10:41] Speaker A: Just an idea for the future.
[00:10:42] Speaker B: Yeah, it is a good idea, actually. So I like that.
[00:10:43] Speaker A: Take what Ralph started.
[00:10:44] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. Build on that. Build on that. I'll never live up to his legacy, though,
[00:10:50] Speaker A: again. It's a great organization to benefit and it's probably a team building experience for the union too.
[00:10:55] Speaker B: It is, yeah. It's a lot of, like I said, a lot of guys come out. We have some guys grilling, helping run the bocce, selling raffles, selling the T shirts. So. And then different like fight houses that make teams up to go play and then gets competitive against the other headquarters for USA We West Quincy. So it brings them. Brings it all together and gets fun.
[00:11:15] Speaker A: Who won last year? Do you remember?
[00:11:16] Speaker B: I completely forget.
[00:11:18] Speaker A: Somebody has to be defending their talent.
[00:11:20] Speaker B: Exactly right. So I'm sure they'll be out there. The team names are fun too, looking at the different team names they come up with.
[00:11:25] Speaker A: Oh, do tell.
[00:11:27] Speaker B: I forget most of them. I just know in the past, like we're reading them out. All right, they're good.
[00:11:31] Speaker A: Okay. Can you buy the raffle tickets ahead of time or.
[00:11:33] Speaker B: No, you have to buy them.
[00:11:34] Speaker A: Everything's that day.
[00:11:35] Speaker B: But you don't have to be present to win the raffle to win it. So if you put your. We have the easy sheets that just fill out your name and there's this block of numbers.
[00:11:43] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:11:43] Speaker B: So your phone number's on there. We'll call you if you win, if you're not present.
[00:11:46] Speaker A: All right, very good. Good to know.
[00:11:48] Speaker B: There's also a 50. 50.
[00:11:49] Speaker A: Oh, yeah.
[00:11:50] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:11:50] Speaker A: Okay. So somebody could win some cash too.
[00:11:52] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:11:53] Speaker A: All right.
[00:11:53] Speaker B: Oh, yeah.
[00:11:54] Speaker A: Again, a lot of fun. Saturday, September 26th, the rain date.
Hopefully we don't use it, but it's the next day, right. September 27th.
[00:12:02] Speaker B: Hopefully. Today's weather.
[00:12:03] Speaker A: Hopefully would be great. Yeah. Same time for the rain date? Yes, correct. 11:00am okay. Again, Saturday, September 26th, 11:00am at the South Quincy Social Club. Folks, old folks like me may know that as the Torrey de Passeri Club.
Logistically, where do folks go, Mike?
[00:12:19] Speaker B: So if you come down Pawn street on the left hand side, Papill Lane, there's plenty of parking. We're all right there. And you'll see us all out there. Okay, I'll be there early. Setting everything up, so.
[00:12:29] Speaker A: Very good.
[00:12:30] Speaker B: Can't miss us.
[00:12:30] Speaker A: Anything else we should let folks know about?
[00:12:32] Speaker B: No, just appreciate if you guys could come by and stop by and even just say hi and hang out for a while and it's a great time and I'm glad that we might be getting give back to community.
[00:12:42] Speaker A: Yeah, absolutely. We're happy to help get the word out for you.
[00:12:45] Speaker B: I appreciate that very much. Thank you.
[00:12:46] Speaker A: Jim, welcome. Sure. Thanks for stopping by.
[00:12:48] Speaker B: Oh, thanks for having me.
