A Benefit for a Heart Warrior

The heart is the threshold of the soul, the pathway to all that we feel and a gift to be shared with those we love. Sometimes in life, someone comes along whose story touches your heart with such a profound impact that you know you are witnessing a miracle. This is the miraculous story of Cash Macchiarolo. It is a story of a heart that is beautiful beyond words. It is a story of a warrior.

Cash Carter Macchiarolo was born on August 24, 2016 to Nick Macchiarolo, a Marco Island Firefighter/EMT and Gabriella Macchiarolo, a beautiful hair and make-up specialist and owner of the custom makeup line, Lovely Bones Cosmetics. Cash

came into our world five weeks early, weighing less than four pounds. He was immediately flown by helicopter to the Children’s Hospital in Miami. When he was only three days old, brave little Cash underwent open heart surgery. Two weeks later, the Macchiarolo family learned that Baby Cash had a very large pseudo-aneurysm of his heart. Another surgery was performed with Cash pulling through triumphantly.

There have been additional struggles all along the way. In the course of numerous surgeries and procedures, Cash has been faced with blood clots, lung collapses, infections and even his own body’s rejection of a feeding tube. Cash has been diagnosed with tetralogy of fallot, a cardiac

condition associated with a combination of four heart defects that were present at birth.

Through it all, Cash Macchiarolo peers at the world with eyes that actually glisten with his love. His precious smile is a reflec- tion of the true beauty that lives in this heart of a warrior who has courageously endured so much. Surely, we are witnessing something extraordinary; something miraculous.

You can be a part of this miracle. Guy and Lisa Verdi of La Tavola Restaurant and Bar, 961 Winterberry Drive, will be hosting a fundraising Benefit for Cash and his friends on July 9 from 2 to 6 PM. The “entree fee” of $25 includes an “all you

can eat buffet” with happy hour drink pricing all afternoon. Enjoy a cocktail set upon a napkin personalized with Cash’s name. Come listen to the modern country sounds of the fabulous Ben Allen Band while you take lucky chances on raffles and a 50-50 drawing. Silent auction items will include a delectable dinner for eight in your home prepared by the culinary team of Chef Guy Verdi and Chef Erin Wyman. Other prizes will include a gorgeous heart painting by Betty Newman, gift certificates to restaurants, baskets of cheer, jewelry, a mini golf package and more. Bandanas with a silk screened logo in honor of our warrior Cash will be available and will add the “cool” factor to this wonderful community event.

The miracle of this brave warrior continues to grow. Cash wants to share the blessings of this special day with some of his friends who are not as fortunate. It is the wish of the Macchiarolo family to donate some of the proceeds to others with similar needs.

Donations for prizes to help this fundraising event are greatly appreciated. Please contact Robyn at 239-393- 4960 to donate and RSVP for the event.

For more information and to see a video of Cash, please visit and “like” the Facebook page of La Tavola Restaurant and Bar. To see this special video, visit www.facebook.com/ latavolarestaurantandbar/videos/ 1773414066282894/.