Fundraiser is to help the family of boy who died

Boys & Girls Clubs of Lorain County plan a fundraiser Aug. 29 for the family of Za’Nobio Shaniuk, 10, of Lorain..

Boys & Girls Clubs of Lorain County will hold a fundraiser Aug. 29 to support the family of Za’Nobio Shaniuk, 10, of Lorain.

Za’Nobio died July 20 after suffering a massive asthma attack.

“It’s something where Za’Nobio and his entire family have been a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Tony Dimacchia, director of operations for the Clubs. “The family has supported the Boys & Girls Clubs in such a big way and have been active with our organization, so we just thought we should put on a fundraiser to show support for the family during this time of mourning.”

Dimacchia said the fundraiser will take place at the Italian American Veterans’ Club, 4567 Oberlin Ave. in Lorain.

It’s a spaghetti dinner from 5-8 p.m., he said.

Tickets, which are $12 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and younger, can be purchased the Clubs’ Main Office, 4111 Pearl Ave. in Lorain, and at 1821 Middle Ave. in Elyria.

Dimacchia said the tragedy was unlike anything the Clubs had dealt with in recent years.

“It was kind of new territory for us,” he said. “When it occurred, it was obviously heartbreaking, and it has affected so many.

“It was a situation where we made resources available for our Club members at Westview Terrace (2218 W. 24th St.) so they could talk with someone. I know Lorain City Schools had also made resources available to help the kids with the grieving process.

“It’s something where I try to put myself in the shoes of his family; I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like for them,” Dimacchia said. “He was riding home from a baseball game with his family when it happened; it’s just heartbreaking.”

Dimacchia said the staff at the Boys & Girls Clubs are working to make sure they are better equipped so something like this doesn’t happen again.

“We have reacted by focusing on training our staff,” he said. “Asthma is something that a lot of kids deal with, and we need to be better prepared to help kids we are with on a daily basis. A big part of it is communication with parents. We need to know what the children need, and we need to talk with parents to make sure we are doing everything we can.”

Za’Nobio’s mother, Laquenta Massey, said she was looking forward to the fundraiser.

“I’m very excited and thankful for what the Boys & Girls Clubs are doing to help our family,” Massey said. “Za’Nobio had been going for over three years, and it’s a place that helps kids through all sorts of things.

“They work with them to help with education, they are family-oriented and helpful. They really care about the kids; they give a lot of love.”

Massey said she wants to create an organization that works to prevent fatal asthma attacks in the future.

“I want to form something that keeps the legacy of Za’Nobio alive,” she said. “I’m going to talk with the Boys & Girls Clubs to see how to form a nonprofit that will help educate folks who are around children with asthma and how to be prepared with the proper training like CPR certification.

“It’s something that I’m still working with them to figure out the details, but it’s what I want to do.”

SUBMITTED Za’Nobio Shaniuk