SOMERS, CONN—Ten years after forming a team in memory of Brielle Laplante, Brielle’s Brigade will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its first Pan-Mass Challenge ride in her honor in grand style on June 12 at the Thomas Jefferson mansion replica, Monticello.

The gala event is a fundraiser that includes appetizers and entertainment at the 10,000 square-foot home and will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. A donation of $100 per person is requested and can be made by contacting Brielle Laplante’s uncle, Ed Moses, at Eamoses65@gmail.com. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Brielle’s Brigade was formed in 2006 to ride the Pan-Mass Challenge, inspired by Brielle Laplante, the team’s namesake. In 2012, the tightly-knit Brielle’s Brigade family mourned Brielle’s passing after she lost her battle with Osteosarcoma a few months before her 14th birthday. Brielle was the daughter of Tammy and Bill Laplante; Bill Laplante is president of Laplante Construction of East Longmeadow, which built the Monticello mansion at 732 Hall Hill Road in 2014. Monticello is owned by S. Prestley Blake, co-founder of Friendly’s Ice Cream, and his wife, Helen, and they are the main presenting sponsors for the evening’s event.

Over the past nine years, riders on the Brielle’s Brigade team have logged over 19,000 event miles and raised $990,898 through the Pan-Mass Challenge. This year, the team expects its total fundraising will surpass $1million. Over 5,500 cyclists rode in the 2014 Pan-Mass. Cyclists choose from 12 routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and fundraising ability. All donations to team riders also benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The 2015 Brielle’s Brigade Pan-Mass Challenge team will be made up of 10 riders, including both of Brielle Laplante’s parents; her uncle and cousin, Ed and Rebecca Moses; and family friends Peter Grocott, Paul Cicco, Andy Ede, Robert Lupacchino, Michael Moses and Peter Pessalano.

“The Blakes have generously donated the beautiful Monticello to host the reception,” said Bill Laplante. “We are grateful to be able to raise funds for these important organizations that gave comfort to our daughter. We are deeply appreciative of our presenting sponsors and the many others who will make the gala possible.”

Additional Presenting Sponsors for the gala include: Max Catering and Events; Vartanian Custom Cabinets; Monson Savings Bank; Clarke Sub-Zero Wolf; Peter Novak-Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services Company; Keady, Foard and Montemagni Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services; and East Longmeadow Taylor Rental.

To make a donation to the team online, visit www.pmc.org, select make a donation, enter team egift number

TBO 117, and select “Brielle’s Brigade.”

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