Vellos, WHS Student Join for Relay-for-Life Fundraiser

A Westwood teen is getting ready to help those in need with a week-long fundraiser beginning Tuesday. 

Starting April 10 and running through Sunday, April 15, will donate 15 percent of its food and beverage proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. 

The fundraiser, coordinated by Vellos owner Victor Servello, is in support of student Sean Cote, who has been engaged with Relay for Life for several years and is looking to collect more than 2,000 cans for use at the next Relay for Life on June 15 and 16 at Walpole High School. 

Those who dine in or carry out from the restaurant between April 10-15 and present a voucher (which is attached to this article) will have 15 percent of their bill go directly to the Relay for Life. 

The ACS program is nothing new to Cote, who first became took part in the initiative three years ago, and was even made a Luminary Chair of the Relay for Life of Greater Norwood event in February at Walpole High School.

"There is so much pain and loss in this world, and those of us who care need to work together to help those who are battling this terrible disease," Cote said. "I hope that cancer victims find the courage, strength and hope. I also hope that we find a cure, so that there are more birthdays and cancer is eliminated." 

Cote and his sister Mary, coupled with their friend Bridget Doherty, have worked to collect more than 2,000 cans of food to anchor luminary bags at the June 15 event. 

The family spent much of the winter collecting cans from several neighborhoods, and even held collection days at Roche Bros. and other nearby grocer stores, as well as placing donation boxes at local schools and churches. 

To date, they have collected 1,400 cans, according to Cote's mother, Barbara, who said she is in full support of his work.

"I don't believe energy is wasted on our youth, but rather if our youth aren't guided, supported, encouraged and given opportunities to channel this energy for the good of others and society, than it is wasted," Barbara Cote said. "Sean is very passionate and motivated, and we want to empower him. We, as a family, are very proud of him and support him 100 percent."

The cans are not only used to anchor the luminaries at the events, but box tops from the cans are donated to local schools, and the cans themselves will also be donated to local food pantries this June after the next event. 

To donate to Mary Cote's page click here, and for Sean Cote's page, click here.