From tragedy often comes inspiration and from loss can also come gain. When Matthew McIntyre passed away this past summer at age 9, his adoptive parents, Denise and Paul McIntyre of Cranston, cried, grieved and mourned the loss of their son; then they got inspired and motivated. Their son’s accidental death sparked the need to help even more children. They wanted to do more for the lost and abandoned children in Rhode Island and even more for the place where Matthew once called home – Boys Town New England, which is located in Portsmouth.

On Feb. 27 the McIntyres are holding a memorial fundraiser at the West Valley Inn to benefit Boys Town New England; it will both honor their son’s memory and Matthew’s wish to one day adopt children and provide them a loving home just as the McIntyres did for him.

Although his life was cut short at an early age, the McIntyres will be keeping his dream alive through the formation of the Matthew McIntyre Memorial Fund. The Friday evening event, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., will serve as the kickoff fundraiser for the fund and all proceeds will directly benefit Boys Town New England.

To date, many Cranston residents have already purchased tickets to the event, coming together as a community to support a good cause.

Fr. Edward J. Flanagan, an Irish immigrant priest, started Boys Town in 1917 in Omaha, Neb. He first helped men but began serving young boys as their numbers grew. With borrowed money Father Flanagan moved from one building to another to accommodate the growing number of boys in need of help.

In 1921, again with borrowed money from a businessman, he purchased Overlook Farm, the present day site of Boys Town. Boys Town was pretty much an orphanage-style facility, but even then Father Flanagan stressed the importance of education, prayer and learning a trade. Boys Town is a non-denominational organization dedicated to helping girls and boys from all races, creeds and socio-economic backgrounds.

In the 1980s, Boys Town began to expand across the country at the request of local civic groups, states and other concerned parties who wanted Boys Town to replicate their programs, which now far exceeded just orphanage-style residences and included family style group homes, shelters and family-based, in-home services.

Boys Town began its programs in Rhode Island in 1991 with treatment foster care and family preservation services. Today, in addition to these programs, Boys Town operates treatment family homes for adolescents and young children – both boys and girls.

“I remember when Matthew was first referred to Boys Town,” said Bill Reardon, executive director of Boys Town New England. “He had a smile and engaging personality that immediately won you over.”

Just as Matthew experienced at Boys Town, the children there are provided with what they have not experienced before – a positive, healthy, family relationship. Like most children, the children at Boys Town wake up early on weekdays for school. They eat a hearty breakfast together and get ready for their classes at local public schools. They are also encouraged to participate in sports, clubs and other community and civic-minded activities.

Once they return back to Boys Town at the end of their day, it is time for homework, a family-style dinner, free time and then bedtime. On weekends the older children have assigned chores around the house and, like many families, the staff at Boys Town takes advantage of community events and activities for the whole house to go to. Whether it is a sporting event, play, or other enjoyable experience, Boys Town New England has found many generous and involved people around the state that make going to these events possible.

Boys Town foster care is based on the concept that the best place for a child to learn good social skills and develop their own decision-making abilities is in a home with trained families as the best teachers.

“We help boys and girls through our foster care services, ages 2 to 17, that have experienced neglect, abuse and abandonment,” said Reardon. On average, a child’s stay at Boys Town is about 12-18 months.

Matthew had suffered abuse and neglect during the first years of his life. “I recall seeing Matt with his foster family, the McIntyres, at many Boys Town events, summer picnics, Christmas parties and foster parent appreciation breakfasts,” said Reardon. “Matt was full of energy. He thoroughly enjoyed interacting with other kids and adults. Denise McIntyre's mother, Eunice, worked in our administrative office at that time as chief financial officer. We would laugh frequently as she relayed to me some of Matt's school and other escapades.”

Denise recalls the one Saturday her mother, Eunice, came over for her usual visit and they sat and enjoyed coffee and conversation.

“She just happened to mention how many 2- to 4-year-olds are living in shelters because there just aren’t enough foster homes for them. This statement hit me like a ton of bricks and I knew that I was supposed to do something. I wanted to help these little babies that are forced to live without a loving family,” said Denise.

“Matt was a special kid. The McIntyres are special people. It was the perfect match,” said Reardon.

Matthew had arrived at Boys Town at the age of 2. The McIntyres welcomed Matthew into their home at the age of 3 and he was officially adopted by the McIntyres in 2003. In 2007, the McIntyres also adopted their son Jordan, who arrived at Boys Town at the age of 10 months. They fostered Jordan from the age of 11 months and he was officially adopted at the age of 2; he still looks for his older brother Matthew to come play with him.

“At the request of the McIntyres any funds donated to Boys Town from this event will be used directly for the benefit of the Boys Town kids here in Rhode Island,” said Reardon. “In this crazy financial period we are in, the money will be put to good use. The money we receive from the state for caring for these children covers some of the cost but not all.”

For more information on Matthew or to reserve tickets for the fundraiser, visit the family Web site at www.MatthewMcIntyreMemorial.com or contact Denise or Paul McIntyre at 826-0001.

For more information on Boys Town New England, call 845-2250 or visit www.boystownnewengland.org.

“Boys Town is always looking for people who might be interested in helping our kids,” said Reardon. “There are many ways: become a Boys Town foster parent like Denise and Paul McIntyre, join our volunteer committee or donate services, goods or financial resources.”