Stachey's Packs the House to Battle ALS

Stachey's Pizzeria raised approximately $35,000 Monday night as part of their Eat to Defeat ALS fundraiser. Raffle proceeds and 20 percent of all sales at both the North Andover and Salem, N.H., locations were donated to the Massachusetts Chapter of the ALS Association.

Stachey's owner Terry Holland came up with the idea to host a fundraiser for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after his 82-year-old mother was diagnosed with the disease eight months ago.

"We wanted to do something to raise awareness of the disease and show our support," Holland said.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. An estimated 30,000 people in the United States suffer from ALS. There is no known cure for the disease.

His mother's illness has been tough on the family, but luckily the town has been very support, Holland said.

"When tragedy strikes North Andover, North Andover will really circle the wagons," Holland said.

Stachey's North Andover location is the kind of unpretentious restaurant that's a neighborhood fixture and a local hangout. Comfy booths are inviting; the food is good and reasonably priced. The exposed brick walls are accented by vintage photos of North Andover and snapshots of local sports teams; plus one photo that's particularly special to Holland.

Taken in the sixties, it's a family portrait of the Hollands -- all 12 siblings surrounded by the matriarch of the family, Holland's now 82-year-old mother.

Eleven of the 12 children still live locally, and attended Monday's fundraiser.

"It's a great thing to raise awareness of,"Holland's sister, Liz, said.  She sat among Hollands of all ages as a few pizzas were delivered to the table.