Casino Night at Chevy helps grant kids’ wishes

By Denise Dick

Last year’s event raised $90,000 for sick children.

YOUNGSTOWN — They came from near and far with a goal to grant wishes for children in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties with life-threatening illnesses.

The Wish Ball 2009 Casino Night conducted Friday night at the Chevrolet Centre was to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“We’re expecting 325 people,” said Danette Palmer, development officer for the foundation.

The event marked the organization’s third annual Casino Night.

Last year’s event raised $90,000.

Money raised at the ball will be used to grant the wishes of 15 children in the Mahoning Valley who suffer from life-threatening illnesses, Palmer said.

The Youngstown satellite office of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana’s Northeast Ohio Region grants about 35 wishes a year for local children. Currently, 20 children are waiting to have their very special wish granted.

Victoria Benyo of Austintown, Kelly Milliron of Canfield and Jeanne Boral of Chagrin Falls surveyed the gift baskets available at auction.

“My husband owns Brilex Industries and its one of the sponsors,” Benyo said, referring to her husband, Alex.

It’s also a chance to help children who need it, she said.

Milliron, who attended with her husband, Mark, agreed.

“I just love children,” she said.

Boral and her husband, Gary, were invited to the event by the Benyos.

“I also know people who have children who are in need of medical treatment,” she said. “It’s definitely something that’s close to my heart.”

UAW-GM was the presenting sponsor with National City, Brilex Industries, Butler Wick, The Muransky Companies, Huntington Bank and Brock Builders comprising the major sponsors for the event.

Susan McConnell, president and chief executive officer for the foundation’s Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana corporate office, said that each office conducts events tailored to the respective area is represents.

The Cleveland office’s event has a Browns’ theme, while in Indiana, the Colts are the focus, for example.

This marks the foundation’s 25th anniversary, and a gala celebration is planned for May 9 on the 50-yard line at Ohio Stadium at Ohio State University, Columbus. More information and tickets are available through the Web site www.bigwishgala.org.

Poland resident Ed Muransky of the Muransky Companies will become the foundation’s chairman of the board for Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky beginning in September, McConnell said.