Fund-raiser set for Rodino family

GUILDERLAND — The community mourns the death of 8-year-old Rachel Rodino, who died Huntington’s disease last week, and the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce has organized a fund-raiser to benefit her family, as Rachel’s father Rick continues his battle with the same genetic illness.

The family has struggled for several years, ever since Rick and Rachel Rodino were first diagnosed in 2006. Lori Rodino quit her job to take care of her husband and daughter, and Rick was placed on disability, and will be unable to return to work.

Over the past year, the community has rallied to provide the family with groceries, to help them remain in their Guilderland home, and to pay medical expenses. Senator Neil Breslin worked to prevent foreclosure on their house; the Pioneer Savings Bank set up a Rodino Family Fund; the chamber of commerce collected checks or Price Chopper cards; and the Fredendall Funeral Home covered the costs of Rachel’s funeral and burial. (For Rachel Rodino’s obituary, see page xx.)

This Sunday, April 18, a benefit will be held at Sutter’s Mill and Mining Company, at 1200 Western Ave. There will be a barbecue, a drawing, and a bake sale.

Butterfly solar lawn stakes will also be for sale. Rachel liked butterflies and an earlier fund-raiser encouraged residents to place the lawn stakes in their yards for her to see.

The cost of the benefit is $15 for adults, and $10 for children under the age of 10. All proceeds will go to the Rodino family. The event will run from 2 to 6 p.m.

For information, or to donate to the fund-raiser, call Melissa, at 464-1670.