Valentine's Day Fundraiser Shows Love to Pittsfield Artist / Pittsfield.com

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The community is rallying around a local artist in need of a heart transplant with a Valentine's Day fundraiser.

On Tuesday, the "Give a Heart" event to benefit Mike Carty will run from 5 to midnight at Methuselah Bar and Lounge on North Street. It will include live music, raffles, and mayoral candidates Peter Marchetti and John Krol as guest bartenders.

"We're going to be using the hashtag #giveaheart, it's to raise funds for Mike Carty, who needs a heart transplant,” bartender Amanda Marcisz explained.

"He has also had three major surgeries already and he is in the hospital until further notice so it is to help him with outside funds, possible fees, and all of that."

Carty is currently at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and is on the waitlist for a heart. His blood type is A negative.

His sister, Erin Porter, said her brother had a ventricular assist device installed to help his heart function while he is waiting for a heart transplant.

This small portable pump is placed in the heart to help do the job of pumping blood throughout his body, she said.

"He will stay with me for a while as he recuperates. He still has a lung infection that will take some time to clear up," Porter said. "Once that is gone, he can get back on the list for a transplant."

Carty is known mostly as a graffiti artist and has multiple works displayed around the city including two murals in downtown Pittsfield on Melville Street and Linden Street. One of his paintings will be for sale that night.

The Linden Street mural reads "Love" with a heart instead of an O.

Marcisz was contacted by a member of Carty's heart team and since Methuselah enjoys hosting events, it was seen as the perfect opportunity to support his cause. All of the tips and donations will go to Carty and the bar has agreed to match the highest tip of the night.

Because the trademark of Valentine's Day is a heart, organizers felt it was a fitting day to hold the event.

The Riverside Brothers will perform from 7 to 10 and attendees can participate in a 50/50 raffle and/or a chance auction. Auction items were donated from 15 local businesses including Chocolate Springs, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, and Glad Rags clothing store.

Marchetti and Krol will engage in some good-hearted rivalry behind the bar, competing to make the most tips for the cause.

Marcisz said people are excited about the event and the response has been very positive. She expects that many people will stop by after their dinner plans.

For those who cannot attend, there is a Gofundme page for Carty that was started by another community member.

Donations will be accepted right up until the event. Contact information for the organizers can be found on the fundraiser's Facebook page.

Dottie's Coffee Lounge is also collecting donations for Carty, offering a 16-ounce drip coffee for anyone who contributes $10.

"Mike has been gracefully handling his heart condition for many years and the time has come for him to hopefully get stable enough for a heart transplant," a Facebook post reads.

"Whether you see him and Bishop walking in the morning, have bumped into them hiking in the woods or maybe had the honor to share a laugh with them in Dottie's, possibly you're an owner of one of his mini masterpieces you got in the cafe; You know this guy has a warm heart and big smile — ya probably didn’t even know he’s in a delicate condition — because he's just that awesome … so come by and be a part of his recovery … so we can all enjoy him and his gifts even more."