Team Milan to Hold Spring Fundraiser on Saturday

It was an easy decision to make for Paula Kirk and the rest of the members of Team Milan. After seeing how much success the had, the soccer fundraiser to for Milan Moosavizadeh, Team Milan wanted to continue to raise money for Moosavizadeh.

Moosavizadeh, a 16-year-old athlete, suffered a cardiac arrest on May 29, 2010 during a soccer tournament.  There were no defibrillators available on site. After an extended hospitalization, Moosavizadeh is home with his family as he tries to regain the ability to move his body, speak and to see.

Team Milan’s next fundraising event will be this Saturday, April 9, , from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Winchester Town Hall.

“We’ve had an unbelievable amount of support,” Kirk said. “There’s been a huge outpouring of support from the community.”

All proceeds from this Gala will go to the Milan Moosavizadeh Trust, which helps Milan and his family with his ongoing support needs.  

“We’re very happy with the generosity of the community,” Kirk said. “When people hear Milan’s story they want to help. We just knew the community would come together, but it’s been amazing to see Milan’s classmates do so much to help him.”

Winchester student, Erika Keane, created , which raises money to purchase defibrillators to be placed at athletic facilities and has raised over $14,000. And the soccer team raised $2,000 selling Hope Bracelets.

“It’s been so heartwarming to see the kids take such an active role in this,” Kirk said. “That part of it has been wonderful to see.”

But Moosavizadeh’s story isn’t confined to just Winchester. A resident, who has connections to Ireland, spread the word, and U2 donated a lithograph poster to the organization to be auctioned off. It’s one of 259 posters that were produced.

The event will also have a silent auction, which will be giving away a day with Senator Scott Brown in Washington (including Lunch with the Senator and a personal tour of the Capitol Building); Bruins Playoff tickets and autographed memorabilia; Red Sox Sky box tickets; three-hour boat cruise around the Charles River for six people; Cape Cod Getaway in East Orleans; or a six-month membership at the YMCA.

Members from the jazz band The Allnighters will be performing and that will be followed by a DJ and dancing.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at or online.  For more information, contact Paula Kirk at 781-721-5311.