Melrose Business Raises Thousands for Stoneham Marathon Victim

Melrose-based Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet raised $3,200 for Marc Fucarile, a Boston Marathon bombing victim from Stoneham, according to store owner Rebecca Beraldi. Fucarile's right leg had to be amputated above the knee, while his left leg sustained multiple fractures, according to a USA Today report on the KSDK website. Half his body is burned, including some third-degree burns, reads the USA Today report.

Fundraiser a Success

"It was awesome," Beraldi said of the June 1 fundraiser, as hundreds attended it. "It was such a great turnout. I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of everybody." 

Beraldi, of Andover, held the fundraiser to benefit Fucarile inside and in front of her store, which has been open in Melrose for 3 1/2 years. Fifteen percent of the store's total sales for that day, as well as all donations received from 35 raffles, will go directly to Fucarile, she said. 

Charitable Giving

The biggest donation came in the form of a Weber gas grill, which was collaboratively donated by Gray's Appliance and Brad Hutchinson Real Estate, both of Melrose, according to Beraldi. Other raffle items "ran the gamut," Beraldi said, as they ranged from bottle of wine to gift certificates from local businesses.

"Everything went awesome," she said. "We had vendors in the store so people were able to be inside and outside. It was easy getting permits and things of that nature and everything went smoothly."

Beraldi anticipates making the donation soon, but as of Thursday she did not have an exact date as to when the donation would occur.