A “Family Feud” format kept onlookers screaming on their favorite team as “Celebrity Game Night” helped raise money and the profile of a Boca Raton children’s charity with a national reach.
The fundraiser for AACY, American Association of Caregiving Youth, was a near wrap for this year’s 20 Boca Chamber Festival Days, showcasing nonprofits by Chamber members’ businesses and restaurants during the month of August.
AACY’s third team trivia competition returned to the stage at Crazy Uncle Mike’s on Aug. 29. And Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth returned to emcee in his persona as the late TV game show host Richard Dawson, complete with a wig.
“George who?” Weinroth joked, imitating a buzzer for a wrong answer as eight fundraising teams vied for a prize and bragging rights. Contenders used colorful foam finger pointers, team T-shirts and even University of Florida Gators’ gear to incite more vocal support from the audience. It worked.
Once points were tallied, a team representing a sponsor emerged the surprised winner. “We’re regulars at Strikes Cigar Lounge,” said Captain Chris Hayes, introducing his dad Tom Haynes, Gino Monica, Allan Rudd and Dan Levine. Ronnie Belletieri owns and operates the venue in Royal Palm Place, and his wife Debralynn Belletieri is a longtime AACY fundraiser who chairs the AACY Board of Directors.
Collaborating with 35 public schools here in Palm , AACY supports middle and high school students who care for chronically ill, injured, disabled, and/or elderly family members.
AACY founder and president Connie Siskowski gave a shout-out to former Board Chair and Team Leader Rosie Inguanzo-Martin, representing Allegiance Home Health & Rehab. The company doubled as this year’s overall sponsor for Boca Chamber Festival Days.
“We’re celebrating our 45th year of Festival Days,” Inguanzo-Martin announced from the stage to a packed house of Chamber and AACY supporters. “I’m so proud of our city and AACY. They do so much for these kids who never have a chance to do sports or afterschool activities.”
Sponsors of AACY’s “Celebrity Game Night” included Allegiance Home Health & Rehab, AvalonBay Communities, Strikes Cigar Lounge, Crazy Uncle Mike’s, Oceans 234, Engineered Concepts LLC, and Boca Chamber Festival Days.
Article originally featured on the Sun Sentinel.
