03/22/2026
On behalf of Dustin’s family and our benefitting organizations, thank you to all who supported the 12th Annual Dustin Mele Memorial Concert! As a community were able to surpass $200,000 in funds raised over 12 years, with nearly $21,000 in donations this year!
We are still blown away and truly grateful to all the musicians who donated weeks of time and effort to learn all new songs for a 1 night only show. It wouldn’t have been such a special night of Motown groves without the dedication and talent of Joe Daley, Kenny Hohman, Lori Friday, Chad Ploss, Steve Candlen, Dave McCarthy, Tony Perrino, Bob Vandetta, Leo Kachidurian, Peter Iselin, Joe Mele, Lisa Gordon, Rob Piorkowski, Mary Rolfe, Teresa Burns Parkhurst, Chris Garabedian, Will Foley, Tom Murphy, Kyle Bourgault, Steve Seney, Rich Romano, Matt Mirable, Michelle Martinez and Jill Hughes.
Special love and thank to our volunteers Amy, Jeff & family, Lindsay, Lou, Rob, Tom, Tracy and our master of ceremonies Vito Ciccarelli; Uncle Jerry for the t-shirt design; photographers Dino Petrocelli and Stephanie Bartik; our Brown’s family and staff; all attendees and donors including our generous sponsors Brown’s Brewing; Ale House; Chris Garabedian Custom Clothing; 21st Century Properties; Clark Courier Services; D.O.B Parkinson’s Charity; Fagan Associates; Grant Vine Consulting Engineers, P.C.; Live Sound Inc. and Jake; Modern Press; Parkway Music; RadioRadioX; Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office; Robert Etoll Productions; Screen Designs Inc.; Signature One Realty Group; Sheriff Kyle Bourgault; and Squared Home Inspections.
As you’re aware, proceeds from the concert are donated to three wonderful organizations: American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP); National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and Rensselaer County Mental Health Intervention Services through Catholic Charities CoNSERNS-U program; in memory of Dustin. Many attendees had the chance to meet and learn about their fabulous programs. These organizations are the real reason we do this every year! Without them, we couldn’t bring awareness that mental health education and resources are vital, available, and that help can be utilized by anyone in need.
