DANBURY — Hark ALS plus friends and family of Newtown resident Laurena McCarthy are planning "Live, Love, and Laugh: A Night To Honor Laurena McCarthy," to celebrate and support her as she faces advanced stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The event will be held on Saturday, June 15, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm, at The Palace Danbury, 165 Main Street in Danbury. The event is open to the community.

Ms McCarthy is a long-time resident of Newtown, where she lives with her husband, Bill, and two sons, Brandon, 23, and Max, 12. She was a Danbury teacher for more than 20 years.

Newtown Bee readers were introduced to Ms McCarthy in February, after friends and family began renovating her family's home to make life easier for her. 

Saturday's fundraiser will feature Hope on The Horizon, a 27-minute documentary that follows the efforts of a team of hikers to summit all 48 highest peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The hikers set out to summit all 48 in a single trip on foot, with many of the peaks dedicated by donors to honor a loved one or friend or by the team to thank people they love, people who helped them when they needed it, and others who supported them in their journey to raise awareness and funding for Lou Gehrig’s Disease/ALS.

Screenings across the country since the film’s release in 2013 have continued to raise awareness, support, and funds to assist ALS patients and their families.

The film be followed by three comedians: Dave Reilly, comedian and master improv, who has appeared on national and cable TV; AJ Mann from the Chaz and AJ morning radio show (99.1 PLR); and Artie DB.

Light fare, cash bar, silent auctions, and raffles prizes will be offered throughout the evening, and pre-show musical entertainment in the lobby will feature John Voket.

Proceeds from the evening will go towards costly ALS-related expenses for the McCarthy family, including handicap-accessible home renovations and medical equipment.

Tickets are $40 in advance, and can be purchased at livelovelaughlaurena.eventbrite.com; they will be $45 at the door. All donations are tax deductible.