During the Upper Moreland Democratic Committee’s endorsement meeting this weekend, local officials also held a raffle to benefit the injured Navy SEAL Pasquale Troisi.

Troisi was burned in a homecoming party on Feb. 22. He had recently returned from Afghanistan and suffered serious burns in a freak accident leaving him a medically induced coma for three months.

Over the weekend at Café LaFontana, the Upper Moreland Democratic Committee raised $233 in raffles to donate to “Prayers for Pasquale,” the charity set up by the victim’s family.

“One of the things we're trying to do is put a kinder face on the UM democrats,” UM Democrat Nick Schull said. “We're starting to include doing some charity fundraisers, not just raising money for politics.”

The committe gave away buttons and posters featuring President Obama and former President Clinton as part of the raffles.

It’s the first time the Upper Moreland Democrats have taken part in a charity event that gives back to the community exclusively.

“It's not just all about politics, it's about the community,” Schull said.

If you wish to make your own donation to Prayers for Pasquale, you can do so here.

The Upper Moreland Democrats also endorsed their candidates for Commissioners in Upper Moreland in Wards 1, 3, 5, and 7. School Board at-large signatures were collected and endorsed as well.

The names of the candidates will officially be announced in the next day or two, according to Shull.

Democratic chairperson Marcel Groen complimented the group on their support, including Leslie Richards and Josh Shapiro, that led to the Democrats winning in Upper Moreland and assuming leadership in Montgomery County for the first time.