Laughter, community and a packed house: Our First Comedy Fundraiser

Fall 2025 - If our first program cohorts built the Herd, our first comedy fundraiser proved just how strong that Herd already is.

This fall, friends, family, volunteers, participants, and supporters gathered at Prince Pizzeria in Saugus for a night that was equal parts laughter and love. The room was full — not just of people, but of energy, generosity, and something we care deeply about: community.

We were thrilled to welcome comedians Johnny Pizzi, Steve Sweeney, and Paul D’Angelo to the stage. Their humor filled the room with the kind of laughter that brings people together — the loud, genuine, lean-over-and-grab-your-friend kind - it reminded us of something powerful — joy and dementia are not mutually exclusive.

Many of our Herd participants — people living with dementia and their care partners — came out for the evening.

And that mattered.

It mattered because a night out, surrounded by laughter, is normal.

It mattered because dementia does not erase the desire to gather, to socialize, to enjoy a good joke.

And it mattered because visibility reduces stigma.

There was something quietly profound about watching care partners relax in their seats while their loved ones laughed along with everyone else. No labels. No explanations. Just community.

We are deeply grateful to Prince Pizzeria for hosting us, and to Mike Clarke and the two “Joeys” for their generosity and support in helping bring this night to life.

Thank you as well to those who donated raffle items, purchased tickets, invited friends, and spread the word. Your generosity fuels the work we do inside the arena and the community that continues to grow around it.

And to our purple-shirt volunteers — visible, steady, welcoming — you are the heartbeat of the Herd. From organizing raffle tables to greeting guests and keeping the evening flowing, your presence made all the difference.

This fundraiser was more than a financial success.

It was a statement.

A statement that people living with dementia belong in our community spaces. A statement that care partners deserve joy and respite. A statement that when we come together, we can build something meaningful.

We laughed loudly that night.

And we left knowing the Herd is not just growing — it is showing up.