More than 200 red balloons took to the night sky last Friday evening in tribute to young Matthew McIntyre of Cranston, who passed away this past summer. Guests who attended the first Matthew McIntyre Memorial Fundraiser to benefit Boys Town New England released the balloons into the sky knowing they were helping Matthew’s dream remain alive by helping raise funds for Boys Town New England.

Working together as a family, Denise and Paul McIntyre (Matthew’s adoptive parents), along with extended family and friends managed to do a difficult task in today’s economy. They raised approximately $20,000 with proceeds going to the place where they found Matthew – Boys Town New England, located in Portsmouth, R.I.

“The proceeds will be used to help fill the gap in programs for our foster children who remain at Boys Town at the request of the McIntyres,” said William Reardon, executive director of Boys Town New England. “I just can’t say enough about Denise and Paul and their efforts tonight. It was an amazing outpouring of support.”

Reardon attended the event along with staff from Boys Town New England and with children who are living at Boys Town, waiting for their dreams of being adopted to be realized.

The evening was both a tribute and a memorial to Matthew who himself had wanted to adopt 100 children when he was older. He passed away at the age of 9.

He had been a victim of child abuse at a young age and taken from his birth mom and placed at Boys Town New England, where the McIntyres met him. They also adopted their youngest child, Jordan, from Boys Town, when he was 2.

Matthew’s short life was eloquently captured during the dinner by a slide show presentation created by Katie Langon, a senior at Rhode Island College and a close friend of the oldest McIntyre daughter, Kelli. Langon produced the slide show as part of her senior project for college and as a heartfelt gift to the McIntyre family.

“It was really an honor to do the presentation,” said Langon. “Matt always loved to be the center of attention and he deserved to have the floor one last time.”

Not a dry eye could be found at the end of the presentation yet smiles quickly blossomed as the dancers from the To The Pointe of Performing Arts (located in Cranston) took to the dance floor. Throughout the evening, the dancers performed special tributes that were choreographed by Kristi and Jamie McIntyre (Kelli’s younger sisters) and Sheri Masiello, a family friend and the owner of the dance studio.

Meri Kennedy, reporter for the Cranston Herald and author of “My Enemy, Myself,” also took to the podium to share her personal story of her own survival from child abuse. She became involved with the event after covering the initial story of Matthew and assisted with the event planning.

“It was a bittersweet evening,” said Denise McIntyre. “We began planning this event just four months ago and I am so overwhelmed with the response and support we have received. Even from people we have never met. I can’t thank everyone enough.”

For the McIntyre family, the event was a way to heal as well as to keep their treasured son’s dreams alive and continue to help the other children remaining at Boys Town New England.

At the end of the night, the McIntyres, with the help of event Honorary Chairman and Emcee Mario Hilario from NBC 10, asked for everyone to take one of the red balloons in the room and let it go outside, to fly up to Matthew. That idea was inspired by the McIntyre’s youngest son, Jordan.

The day Matthew was laid to rest was also Jordan’s fourth birthday and his parents got him a bouquet of colorful balloons. In the bouquet of balloons there was one red one. Jordan picked out that one balloon, which had been Matthew’s favorite color, and let it go into the air so he could share his birthday gift with his older brother. According to Denise, as the balloon lifted into the sky that day, Jordan said, “This one is for you, Matt!”

Amanda Rix is a senior at Pilgrim High School who is working with Meri R. Kennedy for her senior project.