On Thursday, February 3, the Onset Fire Department’s Box 5 Association was presented with a check for $1,000 from Salerno's Seaside Function Hall, located at 196 Onset Ave. in Onset Village.

The money was raised during “Chuckles 4 Charity 2011” hosted by Box 5 at the venue in January. The event featured comedians Josh Spear and Daniella Capolino along with comedy duo “The McKeevers” and live music from the “The Woodbees”.

"It was a success," Carolee Salerno said of the event. "We practically sold out."

Salerno credits employee Nicole Miceli for organizing the event and volunteer chef, Dan Minkle, who cooked for the more than 100 people in attendance.

Paul Ingeno, who accepted the check on behalf of the organization, commended the business on its efforts. "The people of the district and the businesses help us out tremendously," he said. "These events help bring the community to life."

Box 5 is a nonprofit organization that has been aiding the Onset Fire District and Onset community since the 1950s. The group hosts a number of fundraisers other events each year for their benefit.

In the past, Box 5 has sponsored golf tournaments, comedy nights, and this year's Polar Bear Dive. The dive raised roughly $4,500 for the association.

Proceeds from these fundraisers are used for scholarships and to fill holiday food baskets for the needy. The money raised has also gone toward purchasing a "SMART Board" interactive white board for the fire station as well as thermal imaging tools and a "Jaws of Life" cutter, which helps firefighters extricate crash victims from vehicles. The money from the Chuckles for Charity event will be added to the organization's general fund, and will likely go toward buying new equipment.