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Canfield baseball boosters dinner is a winner
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker .Canfield High School baseball players, left to right, Ryan Head, freshman; Kato Kim, freshman; Dan Brown, junior and Pete Hernandez, freshman, bussed tables at the Diamondbackers annual Chicken and Pasta Dinner Feb. 17.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker .Senior Canfield High School baseball players Tom Ciccolelli, left, and Kyle Nagy served as doormen at the Diamondbackers annual Chicken and Pasta Dinner Feb. 17.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker .Members of the Diamondbackers, and dads of Canfield High School baseball players, left to right, Rob Rusu, Mark Luchansky, Steve Angelo and Mark Buchenic, were hard at work in the kitchen during the organization’s annual Chicken and Pasta Dinner Feb. 17.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield High School baseball organization hit a home run with its 12th annual Chicken and Pasta Dinner fundraiser Feb. 17 at St. Michael’s Parish Hall. The baseball teams’ parent booster club, the Diamondbackers, organized the event.
“We would like to thank all our volunteers, parents, sponsors and the community for their support of our event. It is through generous donations from parents and local businesses that we are able to do this event. And thank you to St. Michael’s for the use of the hall,” said Rob Rusu, Diamondbackers president.
The meal consisted of chicken, pasta, potatoes, green beans, salad, bread/butter and dessert. The organization expected to serve 700-800 dinners throughout the day.
Members of the Canfield Cardinals baseball teams were busy helping with the dinner, including bussing tables, working in the kitchen, washing dishes and greeting guests at the door. Also helping at the dinner was the team’s statistician of three years, David Allison. Allison is a Canfield High School senior who has autism.
Several of the players’ fathers were hard at work in the kitchen, led by Joe Reinthaler, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many parent volunteers and players also helped prep for the dinner the night before.
The fundraiser also featured a Chinese auction filled with gift baskets donated by team members’ families and local businesses, which included a movie night basket, a candy basket, a baking basket, a car care basket, a South of the Border basket, a CHS baseball clothing basket and several gift cards.
“Each player’s family contributes a basket to our Chinese auction. It is nice to have that type of participation,” said Sharon Velasquez. “We also get a lot of baseball alumni who come back to support us and check in with us. They bring their families and kids. It is a nice show of support.”
A silent auction, featuring autographed sports memorabilia, was also showcased. A 50/50 raffle, a CHS Baseball clothing sale and a banner sale were also held.
This event is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds are used to sponsor the varsity team’s spring trip to Myrtle Beach, uniform needs, equipment, field renovation and general support of the teams.