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Robert, Brenda and Ron D’eliseo at the third annual Reggae for Robert dinner-dance which supports The Earthly Angels Autism Fund. Robert made a guest appearance to thank the group for their continued support.
Photos by Tony Callaio
The island theme of the Reggae for Robert dinner-dance is evident in this overall photo of the gathering last Sunday night at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Center. The event supports The Earthly Angels Autism Fund.
Members of The Earthly Angels Autism Fund Board of Directors. First row, left to right, Tom Blaskiewicz, Rudy Forlenza, Atty. Joseph Saporito, Ron and Brenda D’Eliseo, Mick O’Donovan, Jimmy Ardoline. Second row, Dr. Sal Infantino, Tom Kelly, Father Paul McDonnell, Tony Grabosky, Ed Ackerman, Tony D’Eliseo.
The third annual “Reggae for Robert,” a dinner-dance which supports the activities of The Earthly Angels Autism Fund, was held last Sunday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Hall. Some 200 guests enjoyed food and beverages and danced to the sounds of Charlie Infantino and “Them Again.”
Robert D’Eliseo, for whom the event is named and because of whom The Earthly Angels was founded by his parents, Ron and Brenda D’Eliseo, won the hearts of everyone in attendance by making a guest appearance in traditional reggae attire. Robert, who has autism, impressed the gathering with the delivery of a short speech.
Reggae for Robert grew out of the previous fundraiser Ride for Robert, which was a motorcycle rally. The dinner-dance was planned to provide access to more people.
Since its inception, The Earthly Angels Autism Fund has donated more than $90,000 to programs benefiting autistic children and their families.
Speakers at the event were Charles Barber, executive director of The Luzerne Foundation of which The Earthly Angels Autism Fund is a member, and Jim Murphy, chair of the Michael Moir Golf Tournament which supports The Earthly Angels. Father Paul McDonnell, OSJ, asked the invocation and Ed Ackerman served as master of ceremonies.