6th Annual: Help Find A Cure For Dystonia Fundraiser!

This year's annual fundraiser to raise money for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation will take place on December 23rd, 2009 from 5:00 - 9:00 at Shenanigan's Bar in Hazleton. A few auction items have already been posted and more will be added as we receive them. Cynthia Kirchner (Victoria’s Secret & Int’l Model & Star of "The Bold & The Beautiful"), Fred Barletta (Sports Anchor channel 13 & Hazleton Area School Dist. Athletic Director), and Dr. Mike Palermo (Chiropractor & Avid Runner) will host the event. Entrance cover is a $20 per person donation that includes a buffet and 2 drinks. This year's event will feature a live auction, silent auction, and 50/50 raffle.

Additional notes on auctions: You can also silent bid on any of the items, by emailing me at patbrogan13@yahoo.com and indicating the highest you will bid on any item; I will notify you ASAP of your bid.

2009 total = $4,405.00 and counting!! Our 5 year total is $113,765.00

The DMRF will accept any form of donations and is a tax exempt charitable organization. Tax ID # is 95-3378526: Make checks payable to “Dystonia Medical Research Foundation”.

Pat Brogan, patbrogan13@yahoo.com
1218 Cherry Blossom Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202; cell 570-233-2848

Dystonia Medical Research Foundation:
One East Wacker Drive; Suite 2430
Chicago, IL 60601-1905
phone: 312-755-0198
fax: 312-803-0138
email: dystonia@dystonia-foundation.org

==================================================

Letter to the Editor: January 7, 2009

The 5th Annual: Help Find A Cure For dystonia Fundraiser was a success despite the difficult economic times raising $16,319.80 to date and counting. Our five year total is $108,319.80 of which every cent goes to the Research Dept. of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation to help find a cure.

On Saturday December 27, at Shenanigan’s Bar/Restaurant and along with the help, cooperation, and donations of Lou Pantages (Owner) - the event and venue could not have been better organized and been as successful. My sincerest thanks to Lou and all the bartenders, waitresses and for also providing the DJ (DJ Chilly). Lou & Shenanigan’s have become a tremendous asset in helping our fundraising needs each year. Cynthia Kirchner, International Super Model and Star of “The Bold And The Beautiful, was a huge part of the event, and has been very supportive and generous with her time and donations since the inception of this annual event. Doctor Mike Palermo was a huge success in filling in as auctioneer and did a marvelous job. The majority of auction items were donated from my friends and colleagues from along the coaching trails and several items were donated by Pete Ciavarella and some items on consignment. Pete raised over $1,000.00. Justin Balint, who constructed our website www.dystoniahelpfindacure.org while attending Wilkes University did an amazing job.

Special thanks goes to both local TV stations for taking an interest in the fundraiser and providing valuable publicity and awareness. WYLN’s L.A. Tarone and their Entire Staff for their outstanding coverage & support and Channel 13’s Staff, whose efforts & support are commended and greatly appreciated. Special recognition to The Standard Speaker and their entire newspaper staff who, once again, helped in promoting the fundraiser and making it a memorable event. So many people are responsible for making a fundraiser successful but it would not be the event that it is without the time, work, patience and ideas of my wife, Cathy and Helen Capparell. Their contributions are too numerous to mention.

The local businesses who were, once again, generous in their contributions and extremely valuable to the fundraiser’s success are: JoJo’s Beveragre, Verrastro’s Beverage, The Cigar Box, The Ovalon, Valley Specialties, Stripes & Strikes, YM/YWCA, Verkusky Dist., Damon’s Restaurant, PAC Signatures, Style MedSpa, & Martin’s Printing. The time & efforts of Ann Confliti, Frank Walton, Steve & Maria Fiore and all the people who helped sell raffle tickets we are grateful for all your contributions. I would, personally, like to thank everyone who made donations and who attended the event - you made an impact in so many ways. Dystonia is, at this time, an incurable brain disease/movement disorder, but with fundraisers to aid in helping research - a cure will someday be found. Words would not do justice for the appreciation and thanks to all of my family, friends and the Hazleton community for your unyielding support. But, I can tell you that you are making a huge difference and that’s something to be very proud of.

Thank You All,
Pat Brogan
patbrogan13@yahoo.com
(570) 233-2848