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Community Corner

'Touch the Truck' Event Offers Feel-Good Time in Dedham Square

Local firefighters join Dedham community to support Team Mind Over Matter as part of "Dedham Goes Pink."

Dedham Square went pink on Saturday as community members joined local firefighters to show its support for breast cancer awareness. Team Mind Over Matter hosted the event as it prepares to walk 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in Boston July 22-24. 

Attendees had the opportunity to ring the bell of an old-fashioned fire truck, meet local firefighters and learn what it means to go pink. 

"The event gives us a chance to do something big, bold and beautiful," Mind Over Matter team captain Mara Gorden said. "It's great to get the whole town of Dedham involved."

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Team Mind Over Matter features breast cancer survivors and friends working together to raise breast cancer awareness in the Dedham community. The team hopes to raise $20,000. 

Gorden, a Dedham resident, was diagnosed with breast cancer days after participating in the Susan G. Komen walk last year. Gorden organized "Dedham Goes Pink" to help her team raise funds and breast cancer awareness.

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Breast cancer survivor Marianne Martin plans to participate in the Susan G. Komen walk this July. Martin, a Dedham resident, anticipates today's event will help the team reach its fundraising goal.

"Dedham is a generous town," Martin said. "It's good anytime people can get together to talk about things and show their support." 

Local firefighters offered their support for the event, providing children and adults the chance to experience the thrill of sitting in an old-fashioned fire truck. Dedham Firefighters Association President Stephen MacDougall said the event can be fun for people of all ages.

"We try to help people who do great things, and we want to support great organizations," MacDougall said.  "I love seeing kids touch the fire truck. Seeing their grandfathers check out the truck is pretty cool too." 

Volunteers sold baked goods, T-shirts and raffle tickets to raise money for Team Mind Over Matter. In addition, Music Together of Wellesley offered free jam sessions for parents and children.

"We've had a glorious afternoon," Music Together director Vicki Demott said. "It's fabulous making music while showing our support for Team Mind Over Matter." 

, author of "Cut the Crap and WRITE THAT DAMN SCREENPLAY," moved to Dedham in 2008 after spending four years in Brighton. Iandolo said “Touch the Truck” gives the Dedham community an opportunity to work together toward a common goal.

 "Today provides activities for kids while building support for a good cause,"Iandolo said.

Iandolo acknowledged community events like "Touch the Truck" set Dedham apart from other towns and cities.

"You don’t see events like this in Brighton," Iandolo said. "['Touch the Truck'] is family focused."

Team Mind Over Matter will continue to raise funds and breast cancer awareness as "Dedham Goes Pink." The group remains more than $10,000 shy of its fundraising goal.  

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