Benefit to help patient with ALS

World middleweight boxing champion Kelly Pavlik is scheduled to appear.

STAFF REPORTS

MINERAL RIDGE — Briarfield at The Ridge is presenting “The Spirit of the Lion” next Saturday, a benefit event for a Briarfield resident who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Ralph Leone, 59, was diagnosed in 2005 with ALS, a disease of the body’s muscle-controlling nerve cells. It also is known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the baseball Hall of Famer from the New York Yankees who was diagnosed with it in 1939 and died of it two years later.

ALS sufferers need the “spirit of a lion” to meet the challenges of everyday life, said Maureen Mc- Carty, director of community life at Briarfield.

“In light of his fight with ALS, Ralph’s life passion, leadership, courage, personality and the protection he offers to all he loves truly reflect his spirit. All who know Ralph will agree, he is a gentle giant, but when he roars, people stop and listen,” she said.

Briarfield at The Ridge, in partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will honor that spirit with a “Stride, Ride and Walk and Celebration” from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the center, along state Route 46.

The goal is to raise $10,000. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the MDA’s ALS research efforts. Locally, association programs are directed by Katie Butke, association district director, Akron.

Also, as the local ALS Ambassador, Leone will appear on the local MDA Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon on Sept. 7 to present the money generated at the Briarfield event.

“Briarfield at the Ridge’s program to honor Leone and all ALS patients is memorable. I find it truly ironic to learn that Ralph is a great collector of lions. His passion for lions started because the Italian translation for ‘Leone’ means lion,” Butke said.

Presentations will be made by Butke; the Rev. Michael Cariglio, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Youngstown; Jack Spezack, Howard Brogy and Ralph McMillin of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club; the Mineral Ridge/Weathersfield Township Fire Department and WYTV, Channel 33.

In addition, world middleweight boxing champion Kelly Pavlik is scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m. to support the event.

Local artist Kirk Poffenberger will offer signed limited-edition prints of the lion illustration, “The King,” symbolizing the spirit of ALS sufferers, for a raffle.

The event is an opportunity for family and friends to walk and bicycle to raise funds for ALS; and the day’s activities will include photos with Leone, local merchandisers, a silent auction, sketch artists, kid’s face painting, bake sale, refreshments, DJ music, the Grotto Clown Unit and 50/50 raffles.

Also, kids are invited to bring a kite to enter into a contest and fly during the event.

“We are excited and proud to honor Ralph and all ALS sufferers,” McCarty said.

“Before being diagnosed with ALS, Ralph was a successful, well-known area businessman and Vietnam Air Force veteran who was and continues to reach out to help his fellow Americans,” she said.

“Ralph’s spirit is amazing, and his life tells a true model story of courage and inspiration. Now, it is our opportunity to help Ralph in a great endeavor to help him and all who have this debilitating disease.”

People who want to contribute money can send their check to Briarfield at the Ridge, 3379 Main St., Mineral Ridge, OH 44440, in care of Ralph Leone.

For more information on how to get involved, contact McCarty at (330) 652-9901. SFlb