"Til Type One is Type None": JDRF Ziti fundraiser
Orange and blue graced balloons danced at the entrance of LCCTC’s doors, welcoming the community to join in on the fight against Juvenile Diabetes.
On November 10th, JDRF Team PAVia hosted their 2nd annual ziti dinner with all proceeds going toward the juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, dedicated to turning “type one into type NONE!”
A juvenile diabetic himself, Mr. Pavia was diagnosed twenty-two years ago and within his lifetime, many advancements have been made in the fight for a cure, including the elimination of multiple injections each day in favor of an insulin pump. “Imagine what it will look like 22 years from now?” considers Mr. Pavia. “This was why I wanted to do a part in finding research for Type 1 Diabetes.”
Having cared for Mr. Pavia when he was first diagnosed, Jean Roemer, 51 years a diabetic, herself, agreed to be the keynote speaker.
Life-expectancy for diabetics 50 years ago was quite different than it is today. “When I was first diagnosed at 19, I asked my uncle who was also my doctor, ‘What would my life be like with diabetes?’ his response floored me,” recalls Jean. “His response was, “For the next five years, you’ll have good years; but for the next 10, your life will change.” Jean invites those interested to visit her website: www.LearningDiabetes.com
It was wonderful to see support from Mr. Pavia’s students who volunteered their Sunday afternoon to pitch in and help Mr. Pavia with the dinner. In all, 17 students volunteered their time.
One of these students was sophomore Sara Eckman. “At first, I laughed at how simple it was to open doors for people, but I soon realized how important it was to welcome so many and make them feel at home. I learned that there is no job too small, and in the end, I thought it was nice to have been able to help like this.”
Ayeesha Walters, also a sophomore, was glad she could help. “I met some very nice people who actually interacted with us. I really enjoyed myself to help in this manner.”
“It was really nice to see that Mr. Pavia and his family put this dinner together. It looked great, the food was delicious, and I’m glad I could help him,” states sophomore Health Assistant Student Jeanie Fornataro. “My grandfather has diabetes, so I know how tough that can be, so if I had even a tiny part in helping find a cure, then I have reason to smile.”
In addition to help from friends, family, and students who helped gather donations, setup, serve, and clean up, Mr. Pavia felt the generosity of the community including Mr. Rich, Administrative Director, and Mr. George Dudich, Maintenance Director, for their wonderful hospitality for this event. Mr. Pavia would also like to thank Guest Speaker, Jean Roemer, CRNP for giving the keynote address and -- especially -- for being such a caring, educational, and inspirational nurse when he was first diagnosed so many years ago.
Community Businesses and community members were incredibly supportive, in all, there were 29 generous contributors; LCCTC encourages its friends to visit the following businesses who were among these donors:
Bronze Sponsor: Ladies of the Dukes
Silver Sponsors: Brian Cameron, Chip Cotelesse & Family, Ed & Don Decarbo Funeral Home, Fraschetti Frank Tax Accountant, The Law Offices of Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George, P.C. (LGKG), Michael;s Furniture Plus, and Washington Centre Physical Therapy.
Gold Sponsors: Anonymous, Alan & Robin Pavia, Brad & Angela Olson, Capital A Investments, Classic Bakery, Dallas W. Hartman, Dan & Judy Martwinski, Dana & Don Prejsnar, David A Domenick Insurance & Investments, Diane & Nick Maiorano, Dr. Paul Wawrzynski, Dr. Richard Micco DPM, Gallo's Italian Villa, In Memory of Victor Piccione, Sr. from Judge Tom Piccione & Family, Jean Roemer CRNP, Joe Cowart & Family, Lynn Colaiacovo MD, Noga Ambulance Service, Pagley's Pasta & More, Tammi & Jay Windl, Terri, Allison & Corky Masters, Two Fat Guys and an Oven and Vince & Traci Martwinski
In all, there were 47 baskets and items available for a Chineese auction. LCCTC also encourages its friends to visit these businesses who gifted baskets for the auction:
2 Rivers Coffee Company, Custom Design, Anytime Fitness, Cedars Restaurant, Clarks Studio, DiCaprio Carpet Cleaning, Famous Hair Shenango, Ho Ho Food Mart, Hovis Auto, Keystone Safari Kyleigh Haynes of Northwest Mutual, Living Treasures Wild Animal Park Moraine, Macri Sports, Michael’s Furniture Plus, Pizza Man Pizza, Preston Motors, Riardos Restaurant, Sharon Regional Medical Center, Sparkle Shoppe by Amanda, Starwood, Township Tan, and Uneeda Tire
In all,over 150 were able to attend, 70 take-out orders were distributed, and a total of $4,500 was raised for the JDRF including monies from sponsorship, dinners and Chinese auction sales.
Mr. Pavia is so incredibly thankful for all who came out to assist with this dinner. “Something like this can never be a one-man-show. None of this would have happened without the generosity of so many, and I’m grateful to each!”
