May 16, 2003

Fran Delaney Fund “Casino Night”

Wow....!!!!!  Casino Night Raised Over $19,700.00...

Michelle and Don Labelle are the driving forces behind this annual event and each year it just gets better. About 5 months before the actual date, Don and Michelle gathered their team and started the planning process for this year’s event. Please join me in extending our special thanks to the Don, Michelle and their team of John Chirichiello, Andy Starr, Kathy Kimball and Lou Kobbs for all their hard work to make this event a success.

The following is a quote from Fran:

“We are all thrilled with the success of the Casino Night! I don't know how this team does it but somehow it gets better every year. The planning, the organization, the management, the prizes and most of all the people made this a very special evening. It was obvious to all of us that the evening was a big success in every dimension. We raised a lot of money, we raised awareness, it was a quality event and people had a lot of fun. It was simply perfect. “

It was easy to see that everyone from players to dealers to volunteers all had an outstanding time. This year a number of folks enjoyed retired Red Sox great Rico Petrocelli as he volunteered his time to be a “Black Jack” dealer. Rico was asked:

“Why did you decide to participate?”

“What did you get out of the nights event?”

“What kind of time did you have?”

Rico’s response was:

“The major reason I decided to help was because of Fran Delaney and his family, who I first met at an A.L.S. function last year at Fenway Park. Fran and his family are tremendous people. They are dealing with Fran’s illness and also helping to raise funds to find a cure for this disease for other people as well. That’s the most unselfish thing any one can do for another human being. In addition I decided to participate in the Casino Night because, Lou Kobbs, who I have great respect for, asked me to participate and I was hoping to help raise funds for A.L.S

“I saw how dedicated the staff and volunteers are about finding a cure for A.L.S. They worked throughout the evening making sure the guests had a good time. They sold raffle tickets for prizes and reminded us of the real reason we were there, to raise funds for research to find a cure. It also hit me about half way through the evening of just how terrible a disease this is and that there is no cure. It was like an awakening from some kind of trance. Like someone slapping you across the face and you suddenly came back to reality. There is no cure for this devastating disease. Something has got to be done.”

“I had a wonderful time from the minute I entered the registration desk to the time I left to go home. The volunteers at the desk were cordial and we joked about the wind coming in to the corridor. They suggested that someone should close the door. I volunteered and they cheered. I had a great time as a dealer. The competitive juices surfaced when I realized by winning more hands, more money would go to A.L.S. for research. It was a fun time for me and a time of awakening.”

Our campaign raises awareness and money but in the end our FDF team is all about - people! Its about saving lives, its about putting an end to this devastating disease and its about giving patients and their families - HOPE!

Fran Delaney