Two Somerville nonprofits place in top 3 in Row It Forward

On August 31, 2015, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Assembly Row Vice President and General Manager Matt Ehrie presents checks to the Alex Foster Foundation (left), the On Stage Dance Company and Brooks Elementary PTO.

Row It Forward: three local nonprofit organizations are splitting $35,000 thanks to a unique giving program at Assembly Row.

When Alex Foster died of a heroin overdose, his parents committed themselves to helping others battling addiction. They started the Alex Foster Foundation, which today received a $10,000 gift as the second place finisher in Assembly Row’s Row it Forward program. Maureen Foster said the donation will support the foundation’s community forum on Oct. 17, where doctors, law enforcement officials and other speakers will educate the public about the risk factors, signs and recovery process associated with addiction.

Assembly Row Vice President and General Manager Matt Ehrie presents check to the Foster family. Maureen Foster, Alex Foster’s mother, is holding the check.

Medford’s Brooks Elementary School PTO won first place and received $20,000. Brooks PTO works to support academic and enrichment activities for its students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. The first place prize will help the school improve its technology, providing more licenses for educational programs like IXL Math. The third place winner was OnStage Dance Company, which received $5,000.

Dollars spent at Assembly Row from Aug. 10 – 23 were turned into points, with shoppers and diners directing the points to a participating nonprofit of choice.