Mam'k Fire Departments Face Off For Worthy Cause

The Larchmont-Mamaroneck community is rallying around a native daughter and her family during their difficult time. Members of the Town and Village of Mamaroneck fire departments have opted to keep their fundraising efforts local, directing proceeds from the first annual "Fire on Ice" hockey game toward The Rasor Family Trust in honor of the late Richard Drew Rasor of Larchmont, who passed away suddenly on March 30th.

At the suggestion of Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department Chief Sean McCarthy, what originated as a fun challenge between two local fire departments evolved into an opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause.

"I've been trying to get the Town to do a hockey game for years," explained Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department Chief Dean DeLitta. "Sean came up with the idea to collect some money at the door."

Just when the two groups finally got organized and secured their ice time at the Hommocks Ice Rink, tragedy struck with the news of Razor's untimely death at the age of 48.

When DeLitta called McCarthy to say he knew a family he wanted to help, it turns out McCarthy knew the Rasors, too. "The two fire departments decided to take advantage of the opportunity we already lined up to do some good," DeLitta noted.

Richard Rasor, as it turns out, was friends with many of the local firemen, and both he and his wife, Kathy Brustman Rasor, have very strong ties to the community. Kathy, who grew up in Larchmont and graduated from Mamaroneck High School, is an active member of the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (JLWOS) and a substitute teacher at Mamaroneck Community Nursery School; the family also belongs to the Larchmont Yacht Club.

Kathy and Rich have four young children -- Drew, 13; Ryan, 12; Katie, 9; and Robbie, 6. A hockey game fundraiser seemed apropos, given that, like their father, both Drew and Ryan are avid hockey players and true fans of the game.

In less than two weeks, many friends and colleagues, such as Carol DeLitta and Shawne Nagle, have worked tirelessly to organize additional fundraising events to take place during the game, including a bake sale, 50/50 raffle, a "chuck-a-puck" chance game and a substantial silent auction that will include golf tickets, Mets and Yankee tickets, a lunch at American Girl Place, golf outings at Winged Foot and Bonnie Briar country clubs, a three-day weekend in Shelter Island, a laptop computer and more.

Mamaroneck Community Nursery School (MCNS) is donating a special item as well.

"In furthering our philosophy of caring for others, the nursery school is donating one session of Playgroup or Kid's Club for one child for the school year 2010-2011," stated MCNS director Lynda Merchant. "This $1,500 value is our small way of supporting Kathy and the children, to honor Kathy as a valued substitute at our school, and in thanksgiving for Rich and Kathy's participation as parents at MCNS for many years. It is our pleasure to support this worthy cause." MCNS staff members will also be making homemade items for the bake sale.

Also instrumental in gathering donations for the silent auction is JLWOS.

"Our mission is to help women and children, and this situation falls squarely within that," said President Jennie McFarland, adding that members felt even more compelled to help one of their own. "Kathy's family has a long history with the League, as her mother was a member in the '70s," she said. "Kathy joined three years ago, and won the Unsung Hero Award for her consistent enthusiasm, always the first to volunteer with a smile on her face, always going above and beyond."

In addition to some of the aforementioned items, the Junior League, through its members and friends, will be donating tickets to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; a vacation package at the Bethel Inn Resort in Maine; lunch at Rye Bar & Grill and more.

It comes as no surprise that so many people have jumped in to lend their support. As anyone who attended Rich's wake at John J. Fox Funeral Home last week could attest, hundreds and hundreds of people stood on line for hours to pay their respects. The queue ran outside, down Boston Post Road and wrapped around the corner onto Chatsworth Avenue.

Family members are expected to attend Friday night's event. LMC-TV is slated to record and broadcast the "Fire on Ice" hockey game.

Contributions to the fund can be mailed to: Rasor Family 2010 Trust, P.O. Box 804, Larchmont, NY 10538. The Junior League of Westchester on the Sound will continue to collect donations at the Golden Shoestring on Larchmont Avenue as necessary.

Fire on Ice is scheduled for this Friday, April 16^th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hommocks Ice Rink. Donations will be received at the door.

Editor's Note: Tania McMenamin is a colleague of Kathy Rasor at Mamaroneck Community Nursery School.