Monsignor Bonner
Gene Giello Annual Fundraiser
Friday November 6th, 2009

If you DREAM BIG .........then with God's help, and a little luck, GREAT THINGS things seem to happen !! Gene Giello Nov 6, 2009.

While planning a Beef & Beer can be a lot of fun, there are times when you say to yourself, "SELF .....WHAT WERE YOU THINKING" ? First and foremost, I have to thank Fr James P. Olson for providing a venue for The First Michael A. Giello Memorial Fund Beef and Beer at Monsignor Bonner on Friday November 6, 2009. To have the cooperation we had from the school was greatly appreciated. I have to thank Jim Strandberg, Mike McKenzie, Marge Rocco, Bonner Alumni President Joe Mattson, Bonner Head Football Coach Tom Oropeza and his staff.

Food was provided by "The Italian Brothers" and I have to thank Johnny B's John Bastion for donating the beer. And I apologize to anyone I may have missed on this list but to see everyone come together for a great cause is what makes Bonner the great Catholic instituion that is and will always be. A Special Thanks to those who attended and those who donated to make this a night to remember at Bonner. We exceeded our goal to raise money for Bonner's Football Team and hope to make this an annual event. We were a little scared as we neared the event date and ticket sales were moving rather slowly, but a big rush on Friday during the day and the night of the event put our fears to rest.

Paul J. Solari (the "J" stands for Genius) was the MC and had the crowd pumped as he talked about his kids, ex-wife, his Mom and everyday happenings that we all go through. Paul added his comedy touch and was stellar in his performance. He was there to introduce the comedians and keep the show moving and he did a great job. (BTW, Paul volunteered to MC the Show.)

Thank you again for the large turnout and feel free to call me at 610-623-0800 or email me at ggiello@msn.com, if you have any questions or comments. This year is the 40th Anniversary of my brother Michael's death Nov 23, 2009. He was 23 years old when he died in an auto accident while stationed in Guam. He had volunteered to go there because I had been sent to Viet Nam and my parents were worried sick about me being there. Back then the Military would not send two family members into a war zone at the same time. Since Mike joined the Navy with a bunch of our buddies from the neighborhood, he knew that he could have been sent to Viet Nam when I got back after a year because he still would have had over a year to serve in the Navy.

We want to keep his memory alive and Bonner holds a special place in our hearts as my mom used to volunteer and help there when we were in school and even made the drapes for the school office. We're happy to help "Tommy O" and the football program try to reach their goals. My son Matt played on the 1994 Catholic Championship team with Tom and we thought this is where any money we can raise should go. It helps when you see the dedication of Tom and his coaches and the how the players have responded by having some success this year. This looks like the start of better things to come. But win or lose it how you respond that matters. This team doesn't give up and that's a sign of good character and good coaching. "Go Friars" Gene Giello - Class of '65

For more from Gene go to www.sportschattertalk.net