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The Damiano family made dreams come true for 14 area children last week through its third annual fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Held April 10 at College Hill Tavern, 420 Cattell Street, the event raised more than $4,000 to benefit Lehigh Valley children with life-threatening illnesses. The Damianos presented a check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation during a live television phonathon Sunday in Wilkes Barre, Pa.
The fundraiser included refreshments, raffles, and an auction. Radio personality “Stosh” of 99.9 FM (“The Hawk”) made an unexpected appearance and many of the “wish kids” were in attendance.
Fulfilled wishes include trips to Disneyland, the Daytona 500, and Hawaii, as well as a swimming pool and a therapy room.
“The event went very well,” says Christine Damiano ’02, co-organizer of the fundraiser. “There was a great turnout.”
Local businesses donated a variety of prizes for the raffle and auction. Pizzas, hoagies, a European facial, horseback riding lessons, golf trips, and a hot air balloon ride went to raffle winners and those with the highest bid.
Lafayette employees Nadda Pavlinsky, assistant project manager and interior designer for plant operations, and Jacqueline Gilbert, secretary for scheduling and event planning, assisted with the sale of raffle tickets.
Julia Damiano ’02 founded the fundraiser in 2001, arranging for all donations in addition to organizing the event itself for two years. With Damiano now teaching English and theater to children and teens in Italy, the event is being continued by her parents — Mark, who graduated in 1974, and Christine — and sister Marisa, a junior art major.