| A Message from Our Executive Director |
| Hello, February is often a quieter month — a pause after the intensity of the new year, a time when the pace slows just enough to reflect. For the families we serve, however, the journey never truly slows. Grief does not follow a calendar, and neither does the need for care, reassurance, and support. This was made clear on January 7 when Officer Stephen LaPorta of Uxbridge paid the ultimate price as he was stopped to help a stranded motorist. Officer LaPorta’s life and service embody the very mission of the Hundred Club: standing with the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice. His courage, compassion, and selflessness will never be forgotten. That is why moments like the BFit Challenge matter so deeply. On January 26, as a winter storm moved across Massachusetts, hundreds of you made the decision to show up anyway — to climb, to support, and to stand in solidarity with families who have lost a firefighter or police officer. Snow, travel challenges, and uncertainty did not stop this community. That choice speaks volumes. BFit is only one expression of something much larger. Every day, because of your membership and generosity, the Hundred Club can respond quickly when tragedy strikes and remains present for the long road that follows — through birthdays, school years, milestones, and moments when grief resurfaces unexpectedly. This newsletter reflects that promise. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this mission, and for ensuring that no family ever walks alone. With gratitude, Tracie A. Hines Executive Director |
The 2026 BFit Challenge will be remembered not only for the steps climbed, but for the conditions under which they were climbed.
As snow fell across the Commonwealth, participants pushed forward. Firefighters climbed in their gear. Police officers climbed in honor of fallen brothers and sisters. Families climbed carrying the weight of personal loss. Community members climbed simply because it mattered.
This is what the Hundred Club community looks like in action.
Every stair climbed represents more than endurance. It represents: a lasting promise that sacrifice will never be forgotten.
We are deeply grateful to the Boston Bruins Foundation and all of our BFit teams and participants for standing with the Hundred Club once again. Your willingness to host and participate in this event, even as a winter storm moved in, made it possible for our community to show up for families who rely on us in their hardest moments.
| Beyond the Climb: How Support Continues |
| BFit is a powerful moment — but it is only one part of what allows the Hundred Club to stand beside families for the long road ahead. When a firefighter or police officer is lost, the immediate days are overwhelming. Benefits can take months to arrive. Children are suddenly navigating school, milestones, and grief without a parent. Spouses are forced to make impossible decisions while still in shock. Because of our members and supporters, the Hundred Club can step in quickly — often within 24–48 hours — and continue supporting families long after public attention fades. That support may include emergency financial assistance, educational enrichment, wellness resources, and scholarships that ensure children know their loved one’s sacrifice is never forgotten. BFit helps make that continuity possible and you can still support the effort! The fundraising is open until February 19, 2026. To contribute, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/MA/Boston/BFitChallenge and select the Hundred Club as your charity. |
| With Gratitude: 2026 BFit Challenge Teams & Climbers |
| January 26, 2026 • TD Garden • Climbed Through a Winter Storm The Hundred Club of Massachusetts extends its deepest gratitude to the individuals and teams who showed up — despite snow, difficult travel, and winter conditions — to climb for families of fallen firefighters and police officers. We are also grateful to those who participated and supported the effort but couldn’t make it due to the storm. Every name below represents commitment, solidarity, and a shared belief that no family walks alone. 2026 Worcester Firefighters Local 1009 – Friends & Family Daniel O’Connor Acton Police Department Kristin Gates Monica Ricci Barnstable Police Department Nick Atcheson Mary Cavasos Kayla Myrbeck Jared Schrader Billerica Police Department John Cangiamila Sam Hawkes Joseph LaMarca Rocco Magliozzi Brooke O’Leary Boston Fire Department Dan Curran Kathleen Curran Tyler Devane John Martin James McMahon Marc Sanders Kate Stapleton Michael Stapleton Bridgewater Police Department Ryan Conboy James Doherty Daniel Gibson Matthew MacFadzen Alexander Mantalos Nicholas Mantalos Andrew Nelson Chris Rondeau Meredith Roselli Brookline Police Department Juliana DiRamio Shannon Goodrich David Pilgrim Oscar Santos Climbin’ Soles Carolyn LaRose Harmony LaRose Cindy Martell Cohasset Police Department Paul Bulman Amy Greenough Julie Hall John Harrington Maria Jenkins Rich Kinscherf Michael Lopes Greg Lowrance Kevin Lynch Harrison Schmidt Brendan Skerry Friends & Family of the PFD Patricia Hosman Friends & Family of FLT. Edward D. Bergdoll (E16 – L718) Megan Bergdoll Chelsey Finigan Currier Hanover Fire Department Shayne Blakeman Andrew Casoni Joseph Centeio Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers Samantha Comoletti Brian Daly Emily Force Ryan Monaco Marion Moniz Chris Rucker Dan Shore Lakeville & Freetown Police Department Andrew Bumpus Daryl Mackiewicz Phillip Pine Leominster Fire Department Maurice Bechara Corey Boucher Adam Cordio Daniel Creed Paul Dubenetsky Adam Garabedian Dan Gaughan Kimberly McGowan Brandon O’Connor Jordan Paskell Sean Sullivan Adam Thibault Derek Yanchewski Local 1847 – Wilbraham Firefighters Jeffrey Kristek Nichole O’Donnell Lynn Firefighters Anthony Atwood Marisa Caponigro Patrick Carritte Leonard Cirineo Edison Clarke Joshua Echevarria Ryan Goodwin Thomas Hines Joel Machado Dustin O’Neill Chris Oram Derek Spitaleri Melrose Fire Local 1617 Michael Bell Alessandro Colarusso Blayke Courtemanche Meghan Johanson John McCarron Samuel Parsons Brian Pelrine Colin Roche Cameron Schille Melrose Police Department Ashley Baldwin Rich Cooney Kevin Faller Mary Gill Tommy Grant Cam Hickey Jake Karelas Mike Koytikh Paul Norton Wilkerson Philogene Michael Plumer Andrew Ruby Matt Ruggiero Brian Trainor Alex Wilson North Reading Police & Fire Matthew Carroll Peter DiPietro Matthew Enos Michael Griffin Liam Tannian Peabody Fire ’26 Michael Coleman Kevin Doherty Chris Dowling Ryan Fanning Brian L’Italien Cody Raponi Anthony Robinson Mike Soltys Joseph Tardiff Rafter Racers Samantha Bellows Jacque Donovan Revere Police Department Kevin Arango Giana Berkowitz Michael Dupont Josh Miller Jarrod Natola John Papasodora Daniel Redding Sherborn Fire & Rescue Department Matthew Collins Michael Goldstein Ryan Peterson Diane Plotts Justin Sherratt Zack Ward Team Seely Matthew Seely Waltham Police Department – Team PT16 Christopher Bastarache Sarah DiGiorgio Elizabeth Fleming Molly Goguen Emily Marini Aaron Martignetti PJ Saengsombat Kristin Tracey Jenna Wentworth Wilmington Police Department Joe Fitzgerald Tom Lawrenson Christopher Miccichi Worcester Firefighters Local 1009 Christian LeBlanc Jeff Makela Andrew Staruk Special recognition is extended to Andrew Staruk for his leadership, dedication, and continued commitment to the BFit Challenge and the mission of the Hundred Club! Team 40 Dawn Cruickshank Justin Cruickshank Christine Leonard Carolyn Mahoney Jack Mahoney Lisa McLaughlin Mary O’Connell Tracey Pomfret Justin Porrello Kimberly Porrello Paula Sabina Erin Spano Tyrese Stroud |
| Introducing Lindsay Rhoades |
 |
| We are pleased to welcome Lindsay Rhoades to the Hundred Club community as our Membership and Development Associate. Lindsay brings a strong background in marketing, communications, and service. From her earliest interactions with the Hundred Club, she demonstrated a deep understanding of why this organization exists — and the importance of showing up for families not only in moments of loss, but for the long road that follows. Lindsay will be the first point of contact for members and donors reaching out generally via phone or email, and she will also be making sure that your membership cards and decals arrive quickly, among many other responsibilities! Lindsay is originally from Western Massachusetts. Her thoughtful, people-centered approach aligns closely with the values that have guided the Hundred Club for decades. We look forward to sharing more about Lindsay’s role and impact in the months ahead and are grateful to have her as part of this growing community of care. |
 |
In Memoriam: Officer Stephen A. LaPorta End of Watch: January 7, 2026 The community of Uxbridge and first responders across the Commonwealth are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Police Officer Stephen A. LaPorta, who was killed in the line of duty while serving others. In the early morning hours of January 7, Officer LaPorta was responding to reports of multiple crashes along Route 146. After stopping to assist a stranded motorist on the roadside, he was struck by a passing tractor-trailer. He died at the scene while doing what he had sworn to do every day of his career: protect and help others. Officer LaPorta’s path to policing began with service to his hometown as a dispatcher. In 2024, he fulfilled a lifelong goal when he was sworn in as a full-time police officer. Those who knew him describe a man who loved his community deeply and approached the job with humility, warmth, and unwavering dedication. He was known for his easy smile, his willingness to go the extra mile, and his belief that policing was first and foremost about people. He leaves behind his beloved wife Shannon, his teenage son Matthew, and his parents. In the days following his passing, blue ribbons lined the town and tributes appeared throughout the community. His badge number, 31, became a symbol of remembrance and respect. Hundreds of law enforcement officers and first responders gathered to honor him at his funeral, standing shoulder to shoulder in solemn tribute. His final radio call and ceremonial honors reflected the profound loss felt not only by his department, but by the entire public safety family. Acts of kindness poured in from near and far. In a touching gesture of support, Robert Kraft invited Officer LaPorta’s wife and son to attend the Super Bowl as guests of the New England Patriots, offering a moment of light and recognition amid unimaginable grief. Badge 31 will forever represent a promise kept — a protector who stopped to help, and in doing so gave everything. Thank you for standing beside us in support of the LaPorta family. |
| Business Member Roll Call! |
 |
| We are proud to welcome the newest business members of the Hundred Club of Massachusetts, as well as those who have recently renewed their business membership. Each name below represents a commitment to stand with firefighters, police officers, and their families — not only in moments of tragedy, but for the long road that follows. This growing circle of businesses is answering the call to ensure that no family of a fallen hero ever walks alone. 126 Self Storage and Integrated Insurance Solutions If you own a business, consider becoming a Business Member today! |
| The Hundred Club in the News |
| The Hundred Club of Massachusetts was recently featured in news outlets around the Commonwealth, giving our mission a moment in the spotlight. Grab your headphones and glasses, take a listen, and hear how your support helps us keep showing up for Massachusetts first responders and their families. Worcester Telegram Lynn Police & Fire Battle of the Badges Salem News WBZ NightSide with Dan Rea |
| Your Membership Makes This Possible |
| Every part of this work — from emergency response to long-term family support — is made possible by our members. Membership is more than a contribution; it is a shared promise that when tragedy strikes, families will not face it alone. Thank you for being part of this community of care. |
| Looking Ahead |
| As we move further into 2026, the Hundred Club remains focused on strengthening long-term family support, expanding educational and wellness resources, and growing our community across the Commonwealth. BFit was the highlight of January, but it is one chapter in a much larger story — one written every day by people who believe that service deserves lasting care. Thank you for being part of that story. |
Let’s Get Social!
| OUR CONTACT INFORMATION The Hundred Club of Mass., Inc. 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 200 Braintree, MA 02184 (P) 617-536-4410 email: general@100clubmass.org  |
| You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber. If you wish to update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe, click Unsubscribe | Manage email prefere |