Ray Ciancaglini and his Second Impact organization will again present the Shields of Honor Gala to raise money for Geneva police officers and firemen on Nov. 1, at Ventosa Vineyards.
The first Shields of Honor Gala last November attracted more than 300 people and raised $40,000 for Geneva firemen and police officers. This year’s gala will get underway from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and the program/dinner will start at 6:30 p.m.
Talking about the first responders, Ciancaglini said, “These are the people that are there every day for us. I want to give them what they need.”
The gala will feature a live auction with Carrie Hessney, door prizes, raffles, and dancing to the music of The Bobby Greco Band. Some of the items up for auction are a Winchester 20-gun fireproof safe, a Henry Classic Lever Action Rifle, a Radio Flyer Red Wagon full of Finger Lakes wines, an official NFL football signed by Jim Kelly, a smoker, and a recliner.
Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight and are available at Kelly’s Irish Pub and Pedulla’s Wine and Liquor or by contacting Patti Ciancaglini at 315-521-8926, Paul D’Amico at 585-820-8243, Erika Van Savage at 315-945-7594 or Rob Patnesky at 315-521-7516.
All of the proceeds from the money raised last year were donated directly to the police and firemen and were used for new police uniforms, renovating the pistol range for the police, and state-of-the-art firesuits for the firefighters.
“Everybody remembers someone who has benefited from the first responders,” said Ciancaglini. “It’s important for morale that the police and firemen know that ‘We haven’t forgotten you”.
Ciancaglini praised his all-volunteer committee for the event: his wife, Patti, Paul D’Amico, Erika VanSavage, Rob Patnesky, Jess Passalacqua, Donna Schaertl, Kelsey Journell, Michael Passalacqua, Linda Wright, Nicole Eveland, the Midlakes Honor Society, the Interact/Rotaract Clubs of the Geneva Rotary and his son, Ray Ciancaglini, Jr. Ciancaglini also thanked Ventosa owners Lenny and Meg Cecere and their staff and Phil Beckley and Neil Sjoblom for public relations work.
The Emcee will be former Geneva Police Chief Michael Passalacqua. Speakers will include Second Impact Host and Sponsor Ray Ciancaglini, NYS Senator Pam Helming, NYS Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan, Geneva Mayor Steve Valentino, and Geneva City Manager Amie Hendrix.
Ciancaglini has been battling Parkinson’s Syndrome and Dementia Pugilistica, now called CTE, for many years as a direct result of numerous untreated concussions he suffered during his professional boxing career. He started The Second Impact organization to tell his story of the mistakes he made by not properly addressing concussions and the lifelong consequences he suffered as a result. The organization’s goal is to raise awareness, offer support, and encourage being honest about concussion symptoms.
Ciancaglini has lectured around the country for well over a decade at colleges, high schools, medical institutions and to firemen and police on concussions, mental health, and overall physical fitness
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