By YOVANNA BIEBERICH
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF
Hearing the doctor diagnose your child with a life-threatening condition is every parent's worst nightmare. The last thing a parent should have to worry about during such a time is how to cover the cost of treatment, medical supplies or medications.
The Carousel Fund is a non-profit, volunteer organization that supports Petaluma families who have children struggling with catastrophic illnesses.
Founded by Arnie Cohen and his wife, Susan, the Carousel Fund's 23rd annual Casino Night fund-raiser will be held on Oct. 2 at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building.
"The families we help are struggling every day to keep their kids alive," said Arnie Cohen. "Fortunately, the Carousel Fund is there to take care of whatever is needed to be taken care of. I never thought that 23 years ago, when we started helping families, that we'd still be doing this. The need is still there, and so, we continue to help."
Last year's Casino Night, which featured special musical guest Frankie Avalon, raised more than $200,000 for Petaluma families.
"All of the funds raised here in Petaluma stay in Petaluma," said Cohen.
Special musical guests for this year's Casino Night include Jefferson Starship with Marty Balin, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother & the Holding Company. Comedian Tommy Smothers also will perform.
"We've been very fortunate over the years to have a lot of wonderful entertainers who are more than happy to be part of the Carousel Fund family," said Cohen. "This year, we've seem to have struck gold. This will also be the 40th anniversary of Jefferson Starship. We're thrilled to be welcoming them to Petaluma, since they've never played here before and have chosen to celebrate their 40th with us."
The concert will be recorded and the ticket-holders will be able to download the music from a Web site two or three days after Casino Night.
In addition to music and casino games, many items will be up for bid in live and silent auctions, including private wine tastings, trips, tours, dinners and sports memorabilia such as an autographed pair of Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves, a Dodgers baseball jersey signed by Sandy Koufax, a baseball bat signed by 35 Hall of fame players, a baseball signed by nine Cy Young award winners and a bicycle jersey signed by members of the Garmin-Transitions cycling team are on display. High bidder on the cycling jersey will also get a chance to have lunch and go for a bicycle ride with Petaluma resident Steven Cozza, a member of the Garmin team.
Funds from Casino Night will benefit several Petaluma families with children struggling with catastrophic illnesses, including 6-year-old Millie Way, who just finished her last treatment for bone cancer, and Ella Stewart, also 6, who is in a coma following surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor.
Carousel Fund will also be helping Danny Cox, the Petaluma teen who was paralyzed in a diving accident at Lake Tahoe on Aug. 10. Cox plans to attend Casino Night in person.
"He's still in recovery over in Vallejo, but he wants to be here for Casino Night," said Cohen. "He will be on stage to thank everyone for their support. This will be a welcome home for him. We're trying to raise funds for him with some auction items. Insurance won't cover some of his medical equipment."
Tickets for Casino Night are $75 and available in advance only. Tickets are limited.
For more information, to view live and silent auction items and to purchase tickets, visit www.carouselfund.org or call 762-9136.
"The Carousel Fund is very grateful to the hundreds of volunteers, businesses and corporations that care about the Carousel Fund families who often struggle to keep their children alive due to a life-threatening illness," said Cohen. "Without their support and devotion, the Carousel Fund would not exist."
(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier.com)
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