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There will be a fundraiser on Saturday, April 8 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the St. Gertrude Parish Center in Bayville for 10th grader Mitch Pacifico who is battling leukemia. It is part of the effort to raise money to assist the family with medical costs.

The Pacifico family learned of Mitchel's leukemia on Oct. 11. The Pacificos, John, Beverly, Nadine, John III, Ryan and Mitchell said in a letter to Mitch Madness organizer and Locust Valley Department Leader of English Margaret Stolworthy, "Mitchell has been in remission since day 21. His treatments continue every Friday for two years in a major effort to keep him in remission. The prayers of this community have, without a doubt in our minds, helped all of us, and especially Mitchell in his fight ... and it is the fight of a lifetime. We thank you for this and ask that you continue to hold Mitch in your hearts and prayers for the next two years."

The letter thanked neighbors for what they have already done including a recent basketball fundraiser held at Locust Valley Middle/High School gymnasium or, "Whether you sit with a rosary, plan a major fundraiser, call with comforting words, send a card, bake cookies, make a meal, or donate even one single dollar we are aware of it all and we thank God for the blessings of all of you everyday!

"The fund which has been established will go very far in helping to cover what we know will be astronomical medical costs. Our insurance, like most insurance, will cover only a portion of the bills, which began arriving the very first week. We've put it all aside in deference to concentrating on Mitchell's recovery. It may sound ignorant but it is our only defense in a world that seems to have closed in on us.

"So we are in debt to all of you for your many contributions and we will never forget a single one of them. Our simple thanks just don't seem like enough. If you are faced with sudden adversity, there is no better place to be than here in our community. People we are not even sure we know ... care --- everyone cares! How blessed are we!"

Thanks to everyone's generosity, the two-hour event raised $ 13,000 for The Mitchell Pacifico Fund through the Bank of America.

With a lot more bills to pay, the next fundraiser, on April 8, begins. Tickets are $40 each and there will be great music and great food and lots of raffles. A committee member said of the community effort, "That's what Bayville is all about. That's why we live where we live."

For more information, please call Michael DeMaria at 759-8422.

Neighbors helping neighbors is what makes this area a great place to live.