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To have a child be diagnosed with cancer is devastating. To not be able to afford treatment is even worse.  Local businesses answered the call Thursday, donating their time and goods at the Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation's second annual wine and food tasting event, held at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie.

All ticket sales and raffle money spent support children who have been diagnosed with the life-threatening disease. The foundation was created in the name of Ryan McElroy, who died of cancer before he reached the age of 5.

Chip McElroy, the boy's father, said the event and community support of the foundation mean everything to him. McElroy is a Dutchess County sheriff's deputy, and many members of the organization work for the sheriff's office.

"If there's a family that can't meet medical expenses, we exhaust every resource possible," said Hyde Park resident Stephen Reverri, who co-organized the event with his wife, Erin. They were hoping to raise $5,000.

Vendors served

Casablanca Coffee Co. of Poughkeepsie handed out scones and cookies, and provided cups of freshly brewed Hawaiian coconut coffee and other flavors.

Last year's event was a bit different, concentrating mostly on wine.

"We sent out invitations to anybody who wanted to come. We wanted to open it up to the whole variety of restaurants," said T.J. Hanlon, a spokesman for both the foundation and the sheriff's office. Undersheriff Kirk Imperati, the foundation's vice president, said the main fundraising event of the year is the gala in March, where the goal will be to raise $100,000.

Theresa Mulkins, head of public relations for Health Quest, said Chip McElroy and the foundation heads should be canonized for what they do for the children at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. They come every Christmas with toys, in addition to other donations.

"We are so thankful for what they do," Mulkins said. "They take the cost of paying for everything else away, so parents can focus on taking care of their child."

 

PAWLING - Antonia Olimpio prides herself on being a take-charge person. I'm the buffalo leader," the 16-year-old Pawling resident said. "That's someone who takes charge, and just wants to get the project done right away."

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