Every year, under the banner "Give the boot to ......" Thorold native and former pro football player Dan Giancola hosts a dinner fundraiser for various charities. This year’s gala is raising funds for 'Give the Boot to PTSD, Refuse to Lose.'
Refuse to Lose to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome) was started by police officer Philip Sheldon. He was responding to a call where a young boy with schizophrenia had doused his mother and a room with gasoline and dropped a match. Philip suffered severe burns and now suffers from PTSD as a result of the horrific incident.
“Phil spoke at my event last year, (a fundraiser for mental health) and it touched my heart. I didn’t realize how bad PTSD really was so when we were done our gala last year, I said to my wife, 'We should do this (fundraiser) for them next year',” explained Giancola.
“Phil is sending first responders for treatment and to get help. We want to raise money to help Phil get help for responders with PTSD.”
During his football years, Giancola was involved in raising funds for Sick Kids’ Hospital, he told Thorold News.
"I miss that, so wanted to get back to helping others."
He said he wanted to bring his annual fundraiser back to Thorold after years of hosting it at the Stonemill Ballroom.
When that venue wasn’t available this year, Nancy Waters, who handles promotions for Club Castropignano, called and offered the venue for 2019.
“Of course, I said, 'Let’s do it',” Giancola recounted.
John Macoretta, president of the Club, as well as Waters, are thrilled that the event is being held in Port Robinson.
"As soon as we had the opportunity to chat, we knew it was something the Club really wanted to get involved with. We have a mandate to become more of a resource to the community and groups such as this. We want to be viewed as more than a place to have weddings. We want to be viewed as a community partner," explained Macoretta.
"I had an issue with PTSD a number of years ago, so this issue is very dear to me," Macoretta added. "So this is something we wanted to get involved with to raise money and awareness for the cause."
“We want to raise as much money as we can at the event. Our goal is to raise $20,000,” Giancola said.
The event is sold out but if people want to donate to the cause, "They can drop by during the event and make a donation," he stated.
Cheques can be made out to 'Give the Boot To,' up until event time this Saturday, Oct. 5. After that, they can make a donation directly on the Refuse to Lose to PTSD website.
