Fundraiser Set to Benefit Family of Three Village Teacher

The Three Village school community has come together to support an  teacher whose family has been affected by a devastating injury, coordinating donations, raffle prizes and an upcoming fundraiser set for Nov. 16 at Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook.

"A Night for Patrick" will support The Friends of Patrick Tardo Supplemental Needs Trust, which was established after an accident during Labor Day weekend which paralyzed Patrick Tardo, the husband of Arrowhead teacher Danielle Tardo, according to Arrowhead principal Marisa Redden.

"It's grade levels getting together making baskets, it's teachers going out and volunteering their time getting gift certificates," Redden said. "For something so sad and so tragic, it really does renew your faith in the human condition. It's inspiring to be reminded how good people can be."

After suffering a spinal cord injury, Patrick Tardo initially received treatment at Stony Brook University Medical Center before being transferred to the Kessler Institute Rehabilitation Center in New Jersey.

More than 500 tickets have been sold for the event, which will feature dinner, open bar, dancing and raffles. Tickets will be on sale until Nov. 8.

"Knowing Patrick for five minutes is like you've known him your whole lifetime. There's something warm and endearing about being in his presence," Redden said. "The moment that you're within their company, you're touched by a charismatic presence."

To purchase tickets, print the brochure included with this article and mail the form along with a check payable to Patrick Tardo Trust to 26 Railroad Avenue #142 Babylon, NY 11702. Contact friendsforpat@gmail.com with any questions or click here for the Facebook page.

"This is about having hope and we need to help now," said Kristina O'Malley, a friend helping to plan the fundraiser. "We don't know what the future holds, but while he is busy recovering, we are going to be busy helping them."