8 years of giving

in Michele’s name

Each year when her friends and family gather to honor Michele Zini , other families benefit.

Proceeds raised during the eighth annual Michele Zini Ladies in Pink memorial fundraiser at Fiorelli’s Catering in Blakely this month will go to assist five families with members battling breast cancer.

Committee members including Michele’s sisters, Linda Canevari and Wendy Mitchko have been running the event each October since Michele lost her battle with breast cancer in 2005. Their first event attracted 99 women. This year the Ladies in Pink, including Jen Berg, Ginger Chelik, Cathy Jenkins, Norine Legg, Carla Magnot, Kim Mazzoni, Maryann Veno and Rose Zini, hosted more than 570 pink clad ladies.

“It’s amazing, how it grows and grows,” Jen said, adding, “we’ve outgrown almost every venue.”

The afternoon event included serving stations, raffles, auctions, door prizes, music, vendors and a photo booth. Breast cancer patient Barbara Sciandra of Pittston, a pharmacist and mom of three, spoke.

Michele was a business owner and the 46-year-old mother of two when she lost her battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer. The next year family and friendsorganized the fundraiser to honor Michele’s memory and continue her work of helping others in need. Proceeds benefit local women battling breast cancer and a scholarship fund for a Valley View High School female graduating senior. The Ladies also make small monetary donations to families affected by any type of cancer throughout the year.

“Michele was a giving person,” Jen said, adding that the Ladies in Pink want to keep on giving in her name.

Stars in stripes

Cadet Andrzej Tom­czyk, son of Andrzej Tomczyk of Susquehanna, completed cadet basic training and started classes at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Cadet Tom ­ czyk graduated from Susquehanna Community High School. He plans to graduate from West Point in 2018 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. ... Joseph Hinkley from Peckville, has been promoted to Specialist with the 107th Military Police Company of the New York Army National Guard. ... Navy Seaman Recruit Matthew G. Nole, son of Gunner and Wendy A. Nole of Scranton, has completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Seaman Recruit Nole is a 2011 graduate of West Scranton High School.

High notes

The Century Club presented the proceeds of a card party to benefit Meals on Wheels. Among those on hand as Maureen Pesavento made the presentation to Linda Steier, Meals on Wheels NEPA executive director, were: Peggy Benjamin, Loretta Garrity, Ruth Grezenda, Betty Jane Jenkins, Jane Kelly, Mary Kelly, Doris Mauer, Mary Jane Price, Ann Spott and Marguerite Takach.