Tommy Brull Foundation Raises Over $30K at Cannon’s Blackthorn

More than 400 people gathered at in Rockville Centre on Saturday as the Tommy Brull Foundation hosted its third annual fundraiser. Acoustic music, a D.J. and a live band helped provide entertainment for the event, which raised approximately $33,000.

"We've been working with Cannon's Blackthorn since we started," said Martin Brull, co-founder of the Tommy Brull Foundation, which is dedicated to raising money for children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. "It's centrally located and large enough for us and they've done a great job every year so we keep going back."

The Brull family of Rockville Centre started the foundation 11 years ago when their brother, Tommy, died in an accident. In 2008, the family began gathering old and new friends for an annual event to commemorate Tommy's life, and support individuals and organizations with special needs, including Camp ANCHOR in Lido Beach, where Tommy and his siblings worked as counselors.

"For each annual fundraiser, we pick three different causes that the proceeds will benefit," Brull said. "Each time, Camp ANCHOR is one of them because we grew up working there and it's kind of like our home."

Another recipient of aid from the Tommy Brull Foundation is Jim Lasko, who suffered a series of massive strokes and is currently in a rehab facility. His son, Ryan Lasko, spoke at Saturday's fundraiser about the support of the organization. Brull explained, "[Jim Lasko] is currently in a rehab facility and his services are running out so we wanted to raise money for his care and a lot of their family members were there."

The Tommy Brull Foundation organizes other fundraising efforts throughout the year, including an art auction with Unsound Surf in Long Beach this past year and an annual summer fundraiser. In the coming months, Brull said that he and his family hope to do a concert fundraiser to continue to raise awareness and help those coping with disabilities.