Pasta Dinner raises $7,500 for Freshman Sports

 Lorraine and Ken Amaral were among many volunteers who worked day and night this past week to raise items for the raffle and prepare for the silent auction and pasta dinner. The proceeds will benefit the incoming ninth grade students who wish to participate in freshman sports. “These are the moms and pops of Danbury High School,” said Lorraine Amaral, mother of an incoming freshman. “But now we need to get the corporate sponsors involved.”

 “It's been the smallest people who have given so much,” said Sondra Cherney, another parent of an incoming freshman.

 Local businesses contributed over 75 items for raffle, with values ranging from $25 to $800. The biggest ticket item was a 40” flat screen television, which will continue to be raffled until August 15. Tickets are $5 each and will be available at all upcoming fund raisers, all of which are listed below.

 So far, only $12,000 of the $70,000 has been raised. In order to guarantee that freshman sports will be on the agenda for fall 2011, it will be necessary to raise $45,000 by August 15.

 The group of volunteers want to be sure that certain donors receive recognition for their overwhelming generosity. “Michelle Barbary gave us two gift certificates, one for $50 and one for an $80 prime rib and king crab dinner. She also bought eight tickets and donated $1000. We are also so grateful that Mayor Boughton, Chairman of the Board of Education Irving Fox, and Senator Michael McLachlan were able to attend the Pasta Dinner,” said Ken Amaral.

 Amaral, who approached almost all of the businesses to solicit items, has lived in Danbury for 30 years, played high school soccer at DHS, and remembers how their team had so much pride. “And we need to to get that back,” he said.

 “We had so many donations, it was just beautiful,” said Billy Anderson, who has worked at the high school for more than 20 years, and is the organizer of SOS, Save Our Sports. “People have been so charitable. The people who donated, we all shop and spend our money there, so everybody gave back. It's all about the kids. We have to do right by them. We have to give them the chance to succeed.”

 “We want the kids on the field, not hanging out at the mall,” said Amaral. “We want them on the courts, not in them.”

 To send donations directly, make checks to Danbury Public Schools /SOS and in the memo area, write: Freshman Sports. Donations should be mailed to Savings Bank of Danbury, 12 Hayestown Ave, Danbury, CT, 06811

 Upcoming events include:

 Pippa's Restaurant: 20% of all proceeds will be donated to SOS. Take out included, and I-95 radio will be there all day. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Tuesday, July 26, 114 South Street, Danbury.

 Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Portion of proceeds to benefit SOS. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, August 1, 121 Federal Road, Brookfield

 Chili's: Mention SOS and portion of proceeds will be donated to SOS. Noon- 10 p.m., Wednesday, August 10, 81 Newtown Road, Danbury