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Community Corner

ABOUT TOWN: Stoughton Native Organizing Hoops Tourney, Running in Marathon for Charity

Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town. If you see or hear something we could use here, let us know by sending an e

STOUGHTON NATIVE RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY: Nicole Floro, a member of the Stoughton High School Class of 2005, is organizing a 3 on 3 basketball tournament in support of The Michael Lisnow Respite Center.

The tournament, "Ballin' for a Cause," is scheduled to be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Bridgewater Sports Complex (350 Bedford St. in Bridgewater). It is open to men and women aged 18+ and every team is guaranteed to play at least three games through double elimination, with a consolation round.

Floro, who played STOYAC Basketball, ran track and played varsity field hockey for Stoughton High, tells About Town, "I became involved with the Michael Lisnow Respite Center through my acceptance on their Marathon Team for the 2013 Boston Marathon.

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"I am excited to run on their behalf as it is a remarkable organization that provides support for individuals with disabilities and their families," she continued.

"All monies raised will be used to support the many programs offered by the Respite Center, including adult daycare, after school care, summer camp, and weekend overnights. These programs provide support and social experiences for disabled individuals and simultaneously grant relief and respite for the family members who devote themselves to caring for their loved ones."

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Floro added, "They are one of five organizations that get numbers from the marathon. I figured if I was going to run, I wanted it to be for a good charitable cause."

Floro ran her first Marathon last March in Washington, D.C. with her former college roommate, Stephanie Oliari of Bridgewater. 

When asked if there were any surprises on her maiden run, she replied, "You can train, but you don't know what it's like to hit miles 22 to 26 until you do it.  It really hurts." 

This year, she will be running with her two roommates from Providence College, where she graduated in 2009. In addition to Oliari, Kristen O'Malley will also be part of the marathon-running trio. Oliari's parents own the Bridgewater Sports Complex. 

Floro adds, "We graduated from Providence College in 2009 and all live in South Boston now. We are really excited to run together for the first time and set a personal record but we are more excited for the chance to run for something bigger than these personal accomplishments."

Floro, the daughter of Meg & Joe Floro from Stoughton, works for Azel Pharmaceuticals of Cambridge. The basketball game, as well as pledges for her marathon run, will all go to Lisnow Respite Center, which is located in Hopkinton.

The registration fee for the basketball tournament is $66 a team and people can register through the website, http://runforrespite.eventbrite.com or by contacting Nicole at nfloro1@gmail.com.  She also has her own fundraising web page, http://www.razoo.com/story/Nicole-Floro-Marathoning-For-A-Cause.

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CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY IN STOUGHTON: The Stoughton Clergy Association invites About Town readers to a program commemorating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 21, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church on Canton Street in Stoughton.

Clergy and youth of the Stoughton community will present the words of Dr. King as we honor his life and legacy in this hour-long program.  A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. The event is open to the community, and it's FREE! 

Stoughton Clergy President Rev. Jean Niven Lenk of First Congregational Church of Stoughton, United Church of Christ, sounding a bit like Ernie Boch, Jr., says 'Come on down!"  (She really didn't, but she would have!)

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Public Relations and Media Consultant Jon Bloom; to my former next door neighbor, Nancy Rabinovitz-Sawyer, another Randolph native who settled in Stoughton; to Michele Crelly, a massage therapist, who practices in Bridgewater, and is an independent distributor for Visalus Sciences; to Beth Kell Miller, a Stoughton native and my kid's former nanny, who now resides in Lakeville, where she is a wife and mother; and to Michelle Glickman, former President of Ahavath Torah Congregation, and an executive for Staples.

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