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Family Holds Arthritis Fundraising Event

The Bollettieri family, from left: Mara V. (Brianna’s sister), Robert (father), Mara (mother) and Brianna
The Bollettieri family, from left: Mara V. (Brianna’s sister), Robert (father), Mara (mother) and Brianna

With fresh plates of penne alla vodka, baked ziti, Caesar and garden salads and slices of pizza continuously coming out of the kitchen piping hot, it was no wonder that all who attended the Bollettieri family’s seventh annual arthritis fundraiser in support of Brianna Bollettieri on May 2 had a deliciously great time.

Plainview’s Bollettieri family holds the event annually at Mario’s Ristorante, 635 Old Country Rd., in order to support Brianna’s cause and the 50 million Americans, including 300,000 children, suffering from this debilitating disease. This year’s buffet-style dinner fundraiser was a success and a portion of the cost of the dinner went towards Bollettieri’s team, Bri’s Buddies, which will participate in the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis on Saturday, May 21.

From left: Matthew Squicciarini, Maria Romano, Danielle Romano, Danielle Gaspe, Sina Windmuller, Mara V. Bollettieri and Tyler McCann
From left: Matthew Squicciarini, Maria Romano, Danielle Romano, Danielle Gaspe, Sina Windmuller, Mara V. Bollettieri and Tyler McCann

In an effort to raise money to find a cure for the disease, Bollettieri has a certain monetary goal that she wants to hit for the upcoming event, a nationwide annual walk for the disease, which is held to spread awareness and raise money for research. Along with the cost of dinner being part of a donation, “Bri’s Buddies” bracelets were also sold and there was a 50/50 raffle ran by Bollettieri’s mother, Mara, who thanked family, friends and guests for joining in the fundraising effort.

Mara also thanked Peter Spanos, the manager of the restaurant, for holding the event for the past seven years. She presented Spanos with a certificate of gratitude and acknowledgment on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation.

“Peter and all of the Mario’s staff have been a gracious neighbor in hosting the event and helping us raise funds for an important cause that needs awareness and attention for research and the easing of funds to find a cure,” said Mara.

Members and volunteers of the foundation support Brianna and her family. From left: Helen Diaz Cruz, ambassador and advocate; Theresa Frohlich, administrative assistant; Robin Pierre, community development manager; Erin O’Rourke, ambassador and advocate; Manuel Cruz, youth ambassador, advocate and JRA survivor
Members and volunteers of the foundation support Brianna and her family. From left: Helen Diaz Cruz, ambassador and advocate; Theresa Frohlich, administrative assistant; Robin Pierre, community development manager; Erin O’Rourke, ambassador and advocate; Manuel Cruz, youth ambassador, advocate and JRA survivor

Bollettieri was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) almost 10 years ago at the age of 12. The plight of JRA never hindered her determination, nor her spirit, to be the great athlete and accomplished person she was then and still is to this day. Bollettieri played soccer, basketball, lacrosse, softball, tennis and volleyball at Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School and Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. In college, she was the goalie for NYIT—where she graduated this past December—for the women’s soccer team and she also played on the women’s basketball team. Through treatment, her strength and positive personality, and the smile she always has on her face, Bollettieri has successfully been battling arthritis and not allowing it to get in the way of her life.

“It was a great night. We all had a lot of fun and I really appreciate everyone going,” she said. “This event was for a really important cause. I will continue to raise money until a cure is found.”

Danielle Gaspe, Bollettieri’s friend and former soccer teammate from NYIT, commented, “I’ve known Bri for almost four years and every year I look forward to the fundraiser at Mario’s. It’s always such a great time and it’s for such an awesome cause. I thought the event was inspiring not only because of the charity Bri is doing, but also because of who came to the event. People from the community and all over Long Island came together to support Bri and her cause.”

From left: Brianna Bollettieri, Karen Roveto and Chris Napoli
From left: Brianna Bollettieri, Karen Roveto and Chris Napoli

Sina Windmuller, another one of Bollettieri’s friends and also a former soccer teammate from college, said, “I find it great how Bri is engaged in so many things: soccer, basketball, the [Arthritis] Foundation, plus she always makes time to go to Angela’s [her younger sister] games. As her teammate, I got to see how much time she invests and how much she loves it [all]. And I came to support something that matters to her because she deserves that support.”

Join Bollettieri and the rest of the family at the Walk to Cure Arthritis on Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m., at Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon. If you would like to make a donation to Bollettieri’s team, go to her link at www.walktocurearthritis.org/longisland/brianna.

For more information about the Walk to Cure Arthritis, contact Mara Bollettieri at drmarab@aol.com.