Benefit to support Seymour teen, family

Pasta dinner planned Feb. 27


By Patricia Villers
pvillers@nhregister.com
@nhrvalley on Twitter


   SEYMOUR >> A pasta dinner to benefit the family of Nina Poeta, 16, who is battling a brain tumor, will not only raise funds but also offer support to the family.
   That was the word this week from Elizabeth Pisano, an organizer of the event.

Nina Poeta

  "The outpouring of love and moral support is keeping them going," she said. 

   The dinner will be held from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 27 at Seymour Middle School, 211 Mountain Road. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Snow date is Feb. 28.
  "We're hoping for 300 people," Pisano said.

  Nina is a Seymour High School junior. She is a cheerleader and gymnast.
 
    Pisano said she and Nina’s parents, John and Dorie Poeta, are close friends. Pisano is doing whatever she can to help the family.

   Nina was diagnosed with a brain tumor Nov. 19 and two days later Pisano started a page for the Poeta family on www.gofundme.com. "We raised $76,000 in about a week," she said.

    A boot drive held in December in Seymour raised $12,000 for the Poeta family.


    Pisano said a Community Day of Prayer is being held March 23. Masses will be offered in Nina's name at St. Augustine and Good Shepherd Churches in Seymour; St. Thomas the Apostle (the Poetas' Parish) in Oxford; Church of the Assumption and St. Anthony's Church in Ansonia.
   Pisano said Great Hill United Methodist Church in Seymour also has Nina on its prayer list. 

    For information visit the event page on Facebook.