Diners Celebrate At Parma Hospital's Spaghetti Cook-Off

More than 400 diners sampled zesty sauces at Parma Hospital’s 12th Annual Spaghetti Cook-off to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. The event, held September 15 at Parma Hospital’s Health Education Center, raised $3,119, with all proceeds going to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease. Royalton Woods of North Royalton was chosen as the Grand Prize winner by a panel of judges that included: Eddie Cerino, owner of Eddie’s Pizzeria Cerino in Seven Hills;  Tom Mastroianni, treasurer, City of Parma; and Lori Stancato, president of Stancato’s in Parma.

People’s Choice awards – the favorite sauces selected by the more than 400 diners who attended the two-hour lunch event – went to Crystal Waters Retirement Community in Strongsville and Royalton Woods.

“Our success is largely due to the fact that we have a team of dedicated employees from various departments who have been together for 12 years and are motivated by knowing the impact that the Alzheimer's Association is having on our patients, friends, neighbors and families,” says Laura Matthews, manager of Parma Hospital’s ElderCenter adult day programs and chair of the fundraising committee. “The other main ingredient to the success of the Spaghetti Cook-offs is our community partnerships. So despite the toll that a struggling economy imposes, we were all winners at this year’s Spaghetti Cook-off.”

Other facilities participating in the Cook-off were: Altenheim/Shurmer Place in Strongsville; Arden Courts in Parma; Berea Lake Towers; Brookside Estates in Middleburg Hts.; Crystal Waters in Strongsville; Mount Alverna Village of Parma; and The Woods at Pleasant Lake Villa in Parma. Parma Hospital’s Seasons of Life Hospice provided bakery. A bingo hall and prizes were provided by Mount Alverna, Royalton Woods brought in a Dean Martin sing-alike, and Pleasant Lake Villa provided the festive checkered tablecloths and decorations.

"Thank you so much to Laura Matthews and everyone at Parma Community General Hospital for once again supporting the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's,” said Nancy Udelson, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Cleveland area chapter. “It's amazing to think that the hospital has actively been raising money for the Walk for 17 years! We sincerely appreciate their commitment to our cause."