Four local artists have organized a ‘pop-up’ event to raise money for the benefit of West Hartford resident John Toomey.

Toomey family holiday card. Submitted photo

By Ronni Newton

When four local artists realized the seriousness of John Toomey’s health problems – and his need for a kidney transplant – they decided to do what they could to help the family. Toomey’s wife, Dawn Manogue, who organizes the community tarot art show “The Oracles,” has been close to the area art community for years.

Amy LaBossiere, Caresse Amenta, Marni Schiffres, and Rachel Sclare, have organized a “pop-up” event – the “Transpant Art Bizarre and Fundraiser for the John Toomey Kidney Fund.” The event, which will feature local artists and vendors, will take place on one day only, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at the Hartford ArtSpace Gallery, 555 Asylum Ave, Hartford, from noon through 5 p.m.

“When I learned about what our friends were going through, I was moved to help in some way. I thought if I rallied some mutual friends, we could create a pop-up event, raise money for the family and give artists and local vendors a chance to sell their wares for the holidays. It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” said LaBossiere in a news release about the event.

Organizers are asking for a $5 suggested donation at the door, and plan to donate 100 percent of all money raised to the John Toomey Kidney Fund.

According to organizers, the Toomeys are grateful for the support they have already received and will continue to receive. An online fundraiser has already helped them with mortgage payments while Toomey has been on disability. Even though they have health insurance, it doesn’t cover everything and co-pays also add up, organizers said.

“Our family is grateful not only for the financial support but also for being surrounded by a creative and giving community that looks to help one another,” Manogue said in the release.

More information about the Toomey family and their medical struggles can be found by clicking here. To donate directly to “Kidney Quest for John,” click here.

For more information about the pop-up event, contact Amy LaBossiere, (860) 543-3244 or [email protected].