Jodi Del Ferraro is practically jumping for joy these days. And with good reason.

''I want to thank the community for everything they have done fundraisers, letters and prayers,'' writes the grateful Akron mother of four.

''We couldn't have gotten through such a rough patch in our life without the financial and emotional support of the community, family and friends.''

Del Ferraro is referring to the long period she and her husband, Michael, went through while waiting for a liver for their very sick infant son Chase.

Chase after nine months, four weeks and one day on the liver transplant list underwent transplant surgery July 26 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and is doing well.

Chase is a triplet. His brothers are Parker and Mason.

Oh yeah, and they have a very protective older sister, Michela, who is 4.

Halloween Haunt

In a related note, Joanne Dumire is busy transforming her backyard into a Halloween Haunt as a fundraiser to help Chase.

Dates and times of the benefit walk-through are 7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 2 and Nov. 3.

Cost is $2 per person, with games for $1. There will be candy and prizes.

''We believe that all who attend will be amazed at what a backyard can become with a little imagination and an outstanding cause,'' Joanne said.

Polite Halloween aficionados are welcome at 163 Palmetto Ave., Akron.

Belated birthday wish

A happy but belated 80th birthday to longtime community volunteer and all-around queen of clout Madeline Bozzelli.

Madeline was saluted at Guy's Party Centre and by multi-talented producer Scott Griffith retired owner of the Carousel Dinner Theater, who wrote and illustrated a unique book for her based on the Madeline children's book series.

Cassidy's Hope

Beautiful bouquets for their unselfish outreach to Pamela Czech and her husband, Butch.

The Valley City couple, who lost their beautiful 12-year-old daughter, Cassidy Erin Jackson, to cancer on April 29, 2006, have established Cassidy's Hope Foundation a nonprofit to help other families with children diagnosed with cancer.

They have a whole laundry list of things they're doing to help others.

''Our 'Love, Cassidy' program gives the children at Akron Children's Hospital gifts and goodies each holiday (four times a year),'' Pamela Czech writes. ''Second, our 'From the Heart' programs helps with dinners, house cleaning, gasoline cards, phone cards, utility bills, etc. for the families . . . We are presently working with contractors to build wheelchair ramps for children who cannot walk. Eventually, our plan is to be able to lease equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, etc. to families with diagnosed children at no charge.''

The foundation also sponsors a Hope Child of the Year, who receives out-of-pocket medical expenses.

To help fund all of this, an Auction of Hope is planned for 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Copper Top Bar & Grill, 5740 Center Road, Valley City. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the silent and live auction are $20 (includes beverage, food and a chance to win door prizes).

Up for auction are a Disney World vacation for four; Myrtle Beach and Siesta Keys vacations; golf packages; children's items; spa packages; household items; Goodyear Blimp rides; and sports items/collectibles. There will also be 50/50 raffles and more.

For more information, call 330-483-3232.

Chinese legacy

Charlie Vongratana's legacy lives on through a tuition-free, school-wide, after-school Chinese language program at Our Lady of the Elms Elementary School.

The program whose enrollment has exceeded the family's expectations is fully-funded from money donated to the Charlie's Angels Fund.

The Akron businessman, whose ancestry was Thai-Chinese, died last year. He was 68.

SIDS benefit

The 22nd annual Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) benefit wine tasting, dinner and auction is planned for 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church hall, 555 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Fairlawn.

Funds raised will go toward the SIDS network mission to support those affected by sudden and unexpected infant death.

''Without warning, SIDS can strike seemingly healthy infants with no regard to race, gender or socioeconomic boundaries,'' writes Lynn Fortna, development coordinator, SIDS Network of Ohio.

Cost of the dinner is $40.

For more information, call Fortna at 1-800-477-7437.