Allison Patterson with her husband and children. She will be the beneficiary of a fundraiser at Pasto Italiano in Westfield on Dec. 16. (Photo provided)
Fine Italian dining is always a good idea, but on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Pasto Italiano, 3150 E. State Road 32, Westfield, it is also a charitable idea in the midst of the season of giving.
Allison Patterson, a member of the Pasto family, needs help this holiday season, so owners Michael and Shaylee Bartalone are offering family-style meals as a fundraiser that will benefit Allison. The Reporter reached out to Shaylee Bartalone to talk about Allison’s condition and the fundraiser at Pasto Italiano.
“Allison, my sister-in-law, was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma in her ankle when she was 20,” Bartalone told The Reporter. “She recovered from it and then found out she was cancer-free.”
Clear cell sarcoma is a very rare form of soft-tissue sarcoma. Clear cell sarcoma causes tumors that typically start in the soft tissues that surround and support the tendons and muscles in your lower legs or feet.
“Here we are five years later, and she found a lump on her foot,” Bartalone said. “Our fears came true when we found out the cancer was back. This time it was much stronger and more aggressive. She had her leg amputated a week and a half after she found out the cancer was back.”
Allison is now facing medical bills and she needs both a prosthetic leg and a handicap accessible van.
That is where Pasto Italiano customers come in.
On Dec. 16, both dine-in and carry-out customers can help just by enjoying the fine Italian food Pasto is known for.
“I will be doing a carry-out dinner that feeds six, and a ‘dine in to donate’ night,” Bartalone said. “Allison will keep 100 percent of the funds from the family dinner carry-out meals and 20 percent of the dine-in sales. Benito DiBartoli will be playing live music and we will be selling raffle tickets to win prizes.”
The carry-out dinner for six includes house salad, bread, and a one of two main dishes for $140.
“You can choose either Spaghetti Bolognese or Linguine Alfredo,” Bartalone said. “We would like to have all the family dinners ordered 48 hours before the fundraiser so we are prepared. Pick up will be between 4 to 6 p.m. the day of the fundraiser.”
Dec. 16 Carry-out orders need to be ordered at least 48 hours in advance and must be paid in cash. Dine-in customers are encouraged to make reservations, and can pay with cash or card, as they prefer.
Call (317) 804-2051 to place your carry-out order or to make a reservation to dine in.
