JMCE’s Family & Friends Day supports fight against cancer

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There were Explorers and entertainment, a dunk tank and disc jockey, motorcycles and music, pizza and popcorn, rock climbers and runners inside sun-splashed Johnston War Memorial Park Saturday.

It was yet another example of a community caring and coming together to show support for the Johnston Memorial Cancer Events (JMCE) and the fight against cancer that strikes children.

The event – formerly known as Campfires for Cancer – is part of JMCE’s ongoing effort to raise money for programs in the Oncology and Hematology Units of Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

Perhaps Linda LaFazia, who serves as the JMCE’s secretary-treasurer, said it best while relating stories of young children who saved their pennies to benefit the cause and came to the fun-filled Family & Friends Day to enjoy ice cream, hot dogs, pizza and a variety of kiddie rides.

Take Fran and Jean Chatelle, who told their grandson Pascal Dubuc they would be busy volunteering Saturday at Family & Friends Day.

Much to the Chatelles’ surprise, Pascal said: “I want to go and help fight that bad cancer, too!”

The Chatelles – who have been part of the close-knit group of friends that make up the JMCE’s volunteers – also learned that Pascal had $20 he wanted to donate to the cause.

“Pascal was proud he brought the money and also said he wanted to help in another way,” LaFazia said, “and he wound up spending the whole day helping us at the ice cream stand.”

LaFazia also said, “there was also a little girl whose name we couldn’t get who told us she brought a jar of money that she had been saving especially for the event.”

Although JMCE officials are still receiving donations and don’t expect to have final fundraising figures until sometime next week, there were other stories that LaFazia said “made all of us feel great.”

Talia St. Angelo, who has been coming to the JMCE event for quite a few years in memory of her late grandfather Sal Gelsomino, was also another special story Saturday.

“She actually took the lead in creating the T-shirt design,” LaFazia said. “It’s very, very impressive and features little children’s hands and the swimming dolphins, which is the official symbol of Hasbro Children’s Hospital.”

The T-shirt is royal blue with white printing, and JMCE officials may have some to sell. If anyone is interested, they should call either LaFazia at 401-233-2564 or Dennis Quaranta, the non-profit group’s chairman, at 401-934-1969.

While there were many children’s stories that tugged at people’s heartstrings Saturday, the JMCE issued thanks to Gary Salzillo, a noted disc jockey who supplied music and merriment from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and organized all kinds of fun dances and games on the park’s main stage.

“Gary Salzillo really makes this event special,” LaFazia said. “He’s in a class of his own. He has been coming every year since we started and he donates his time.”

Salzillo, meanwhile, said: “We’re all here for the same reason. It’s truly amazing of what this small group of people has done to help children who are battling cancer. I’m honored to be part of such an extraordinary event.”

Everyone from singer Dirk Van Pelt – who for the second time in as many years was a huge hit – to Christine Rondeau of Rondeau’s Kickboxing fame and Cal Calabro, who organized the firs-ever motorcycle run as part of the day, concurred with Salzillo.

So did JMCE charter members Mike Mazzulla and Robin Christensen, who helped Calabro and his wife Linda at the start of Saturday’s motorcycle run.

“There are times when we all take life for granted,” said Mazzulla, whose late mother Anna is one of three people – along with Laura DeAngelis and Sal Gelsomino – in whose honor the JMCE was founded. “Then, when something like this hits home …”

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