By Julie McCay Turner
The Department of Public Works installed a shiny new bench at the corner of Elm Street and School Way on Thursday, with a plaque that reads “In loving memory of Matthew “Matty” Langone, 7/22/04 – 9/22/09, Children hold our hands for a while and our hearts forever.” The bench marks what would have been Matty’s neighborhood school bus stop, but he lost his life to cancer before he was able to begin kindergarten.
Tina Farias Langone has kept her son’s memory alive through the Friends for Matty Foundation, and the family celebrated what would have been Matty’s 11th birthday on Sunday, July 19 with the Foundation’s sixth annual lemonade stand.
“Matty celebrated his 5th and last birthday in the hospital,” said his Mom, “and [we] promised him a huge party when he came home … I will always regret not giving him that party. The lemonade stand is a way from me to honor that [promise].” The corner of South Road and Railroad Ave looked like a real birthday party in Sunday afternoon’s sunshine, with balloons in Matty’s favorite color (yellow), face-painting, balloon animals, crafts, treats, and – of course – lemonade.
Family, friends and cyclists from the Minuteman Bikeway came to the party, and helped to raise $1,900. “We were thrilled with the turnout,” said his parents. “We really appreciate everyone who came down to celebrate Matty’s 11th birthday.”
Matty’s parents are concerned that he not be forgotten, but they needn’t worry: When his pre-school friends Andrew Venuti and Maxwell Weisz were asked what they remembered about him, without hesitation they both said “He liked basketball!”
In addition to funding the new bench in Matty’s honor, the Friends for Matty Foundation raises money to provide financial and emotional assistance to families who are coping with the effects of childhood cancer. Run entirely by volunteers, the foundation also supports research into neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers.
The Friends for Matty Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, will host its second annual Gold Ribbon Gala at the Doubletree Suites hotel on Middlesex Turnpike. Tickets are available on line at https://www.friendsformatty.org/gold_ribbon_gala.aspx for the September 11th event, and it promises to be a grand party.
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