Lois Marandola, sister of Parks and Recreation Director Dan Mazzulla, told the Sun Rise Monday morning that the family will hold a pasta dinner Dec. 5 at Spirito’s Restaurant on the Cranston-Johnston line to benefit brain cancer awareness.
Mazzulla was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July, and Marandola said the community has been nothing but supportive of him and his family in the time since. Mazzulla is a staple in Johnston beyond his service in parks and recreation. He coaches sports, has connections with the Bishop Hendricken community in Warwick – where his sons Joe and Justin both played basketball – and works with children with special needs.
Marandola, who is planning the dinner with Dan’s daughter Gianna, said folks from all over have been asking for tickets.
“Oh, my God, they’ve been very happy,” Marandola said during an interview at the Sun Rise office on Monday. “I had somebody come to me even yesterday that, my father was a previous recreation director. A guy that started out with my father contacted me, he said, ‘I need tickets for this.’ I was so appreciative. He goes, ‘Why wouldn’t I have been there? Your family’s been around doing stuff forever.’”
Marandola said that friends the family has known for several decades have volunteered their time to make baskets and obtain donations. She said she hopes to hang a banner for the event outside of the Johnston Recreation Center, as well as potentially in front of Spirito’s to promote the event. She would also like to place it for a week along Hartford Avenue.
“Our man focus is Danny’s health and to help him beat cancer, but along the way we would also like to make a difference by raising cancer awareness,” Gianna Mazzulla said. “We want to thank all of our family and friends for your continued support and gestures while Danny is battling this illness.”
The family has received nothing but continued support and gestures of kindness, and Marandola said the community is “very happy” to help.
She said all of her siblings have been there along the way as well.
“It’s so great to see that people are just, they’re saying it’s everything he deserves for what he’s given back,” Marandola said. “‘We will do anything we have to to support your family.’ That’s what most people are saying. ‘We are there for you, we are there for your family.’ That’s what we’re getting.”
Those who would like to purchase tickets can reach out to Gianna Mazzulla at gimariee816@gmail.com.
“Everybody’s there,” Marandola said. “My whole family is there, but she’s there 24/7, that’s the bottom line. She really is doing a great job.”
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