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By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal columnist
Published on Monday, Sep 15, 2008
A spaghetti dinner is planned for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fire Fighters Local 330 Union Hall, 161 Massillon Road, Akron, with proceeds going to the Michael L. Blair Benevolent Fund at any FirstMerit Bank.
The 55-year-old Akron man is battling chronic myelogenous leukemia, severe chronic graft vs. host disease (a complication of a bone marrow transplant), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease, diagnosed in November.
The father of four formerly worked at a machine shop.
''I work in order to have insurance for Michael,'' his wife Cindy writes. ''But due to his multiple hospitalizations, a long list of medications he will be taking the rest of his life, numerous doctor visits and weekly blood work, even with the insurance, there are many expenses to be paid.''
Dinner tickets, at $10, are available at the door.
Kicking cancer
Mark your calendars for the Event 2008: Kickin' It in the Caribbean, which not only benefits the Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation but also countless local cancer patients.
The event — 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 — will feature a tent party, a decadent feast by Chef Beau Schmidt of Beau's Grille, nonstop music by Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band and T.C.B. of Jerry Bruno Productions, and a live auction.
Hosts will be Jane and Steve Comunale, with co-chair Ruthie George.
For location, tickets and sponsorships, please call Marisa Lamkin at 330-835-5985.
The foundation honors the memory of Stephen Comunale Jr. and his aunt, Amy, Klein, who both waged battles with cancer. All proceeds provide ''gap'' funding to people and families battling cancer through rent and mortgage payments, gas cards, grocery cards and utility bills.
Seeking donations
The Akron chapter of the Pajama Program, a New York-based charity that provides new pajamas and books to children in need and those waiting for permanent homes, will be accepting donations (money, PJs and books) at the Norton Cider Festival from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; 8 a.m to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.
Patty Gillespie, chapter president, said her organization has distributed 867 pairs of pajamas and 1,000 books in its first year. For information, call 330-253-5109.
Backpack drive
Area Dunkin' Donuts restaurants are collecting new and gently used backpacks through Saturday for the Second Harvest Food Bank's BackPack program and new school supplies.
''All of the backpacks will be filled with child-friendly, nonperishable, easily consumed, and vitamin-fortified food and given to low-income children on the last day before the weekend or a
holiday,'' said a Dunkin' Donuts spokesman. ''The program is designed to discreetly send necessary food home to children during times when other resources are not always available.''
Generous gift
Bouquets to Akron's Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home, which distributed 100 book bags filled with supplies to students at Akron's Helen Arnold school.
Funeral director Preston Stewart said he's helping low-income students.
Rummage sale
Violet's Cupboard is hosting a benefit rummage/yard sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at a parking lot at 655 N. Main St., Akron.
On sale? Household items, toys, furniture, clothing, baked goods and refreshments.
Violet's Cupboard's goal is to enhance the quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients and their families.
GriefCare Place benefit
Sarah's Vineyard, 1240 W. Steels Corner Road, Cuyahoga Falls, in the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park, will be the setting for Grapes & Gourmet Guys, a benefit for the GriefCare Place.
The fundraiser — featuring accomplished local men who cook — is 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday
Featured will be the following:
• Dick D'Antonio, retired assistant service director, Stow.
• Jack DeLeo, president/chief executive, Hitchcock, Fleming & Associates Inc.
• The Rev. Norm Douglas, executive director, Heart to Heart Communications.
• Cyle Feldman, athletic director, Stow-Munroe Falls High School.
• Bill Flinta, vice president, Valley Savings Bank.
• Ron Gauthier, former Stow councilman.
• Seth Holt, sous chef/kitchen manager, AVI Food Services.
• Keith Kropp, president, Or Derv Foods Inc.
• Frank Larson, mayor, Munroe Falls.
• Dr. Tom Lloyd, emergency room physician, Akron General Medical Center.
• Dr. Phil Martucci, Cuyahoga Falls School District.
• T.K. O'Grady, radio personality, WONE-FM.
•John Pribonic, store director, Acme 20, Parma; Ward 3, Stow City Council.
• Rick Sands, owner, Great Harvest Bread Co.
• Scott Stricklin, head baseball coach, Kent State University.
• Judge Thomas Teodosio, Summit County Common Pleas Court.
• Bob Tilton, — former chief of police, Stow.
Cost of the event is $50 (includes food tastings and two SV's wine selections. Patrons also can bid on auction items.
The GriefCare Place, 4499 Darrow Road, Stow, offers programs to help during the grieving/healing process.
Benefit concert
Summit County-based Grandparents Against Sex Predators (GASP) is hosting nationally known pianist Steve Hall at a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at First Congregational Church, East Market and Union streets, Akron. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Dessert and coffee will be served. Cost is $15. For information, call 330-247-1402.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
A spaghetti dinner is planned for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fire Fighters Local 330 Union Hall, 161 Massillon Road, Akron, with proceeds going to the Michael L. Blair Benevolent Fund at any FirstMerit Bank.
Get the full article here.

