Dinner to benefit hurt firefighter

Staff report

BROOKFIELD

A spaghetti dinner Sunday is the first of three events to help defray medical expenses for Kurt Magnello, a Brookfield firefighter and paramedic seriously injured in a tree-climbing accident.

The spaghetti dinner with desserts is at 1 p.m. at Brookfield Fire Station No. 18, 774 state Route 7 NE. Other activities at the dinner are an auction and 50/50 raffles.

The dinner cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children age 10 and younger.

Carry-out orders can be made in advance by calling 330-717-9241 or the day of the dinner. Free delivery is available for area police, fire and local businesses.

Magnello, 35, was injured July 15 when he fell about 40 feet from a tree, suffering a broken back in two areas and a severely broken ankle.

Doctors fused his spine and placed pins in his ankle, and he was released from a hospital last week and is staying with family in Southington.

He is facing months of therapy and does not have medical coverage.

“He has touched so many lives and is always willing to help those in need. It is time for us to return that favor to Kurt. We need to help Kurt so he can heal and continue to serve us,” said Beth Redmond, who is organizing the benefits.

Other upcoming events to help Magnello are:

“Kurt’s Big Thing/Kurtstock.” The event at Yankee Lake Ballroom, state Route 7, from 9 to 11 p.m. Sept. 11 includes a gun raffle, auction, flat-screen television, food, draft beer (cash bar available), and live bands including Area 51 and Gary Pirrung. Tickets are $20.

Brawlroom XXIII “A Fight For Kurt.” The event, from 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 25 at Yankee Lake Brawlroom, state Route 7, features mixed martial-arts fighting. The promoter, Chuck Haskle, has offered to donate a portion of tickets sold in advance by Sept. 17 to Magnello, who was a ringside paramedic at many previous Brawlroom fights. Tickets, which are $20 for general admission and 10 cage-side table seats for $350 to $400, can be purchased from any of Kurt’s friends and family or by calling Randy Richman at 330-719-3115.

Monetary donations can be made payable to Kurt Magnello and sent to First Place Bank Cortland Office, attention Kerri Hughes, 325 S. High St., Cortland, OH 44410.

To make tax-deductible donations or for more information, contact Redmond at 330-717-9241.