Pattifest raises over $115,000

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 15, 2000

DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / August 15, 2000

PAULINA – Some of them came because they knew her, others because they knew of her. But all came to the Pattifest to show their support and givewhat they could to Patti Amato.

By all estimations Pattifest, held Aug. 11-13, was an astounding success,raising over $115,000 for Amato.

Amato has been fighting meningococcal meningitis since mid-April at the Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. Pattifest was achance for the people of the River Parishes to support the Amato family with all proceeds going to the Amato fund, set up to help pay for medical bills and the prothesis that Amato will need to walk and use her hands again.

A golf tournament at Pelican Pointe was organized July 17 which raised over $82,000. Tommy Bourgeois and others felt that more was yet to be done.Hundreds of people showed up for the tournament, but there was only so much there to do, said Bourgeois. He and many others went about setting upa festival designed to entertain, provide activities and supply thousands of pounds of food that everyone could participate in. The result was just that.”It’s hard to how many came, maybe 10,000 people. It was so loaded it’shard to say,” said Bourgeois. It’s amazing to think of the effect of onefamily in need can have over the River Parishes community. People fromcame as far Hammond, St. Rose, Gonzales and everywhere in between toparticipate. “When she was real sick everybody wanted to do something,”and this weekend was their chance to help, said Bourgeois.

The festival site at Longview Recreation Grounds was a scene of near constant activity. The softball games on Friday didn’t end until 3:45Saturday morning.

There were 32 pots of jambalaya with around 1,000 lbs of rice cooked. Also,700 cases of beer and half that of soda were served. “I can’t even give afigure on the hot dogs and hamburgers,” said Bourgeois.

One of the most popular events was the Poker Run, involving around 200 motorbikes, 250 bicycles and one chartered bus. Everyone was lined up toclap and cheer on the riders, said Bourgeois.

The biggest highlight with the appearance of Amato herself on Sunday afternoon. Being in constant good health the last three weeks, she wasallowed a three-hour pass to attend the festival.

“She was the last piece of the puzzle. She had missed the golf tournamentbut said she wasn’t going to miss this,” said Bourgeois.

Jared Amato, Patti’s husband, could not believe the turnout at the festival.

“It was a very emotional day. There are not enough words to describe it,”said Amato.

On Monday morning $500 worth of checks were still coming in from people who had not been able to make the festival but still wanted to show their support.

Patti is looking forward to physical therapy and walking again. With themoney raised for her prosthetics, “It’s a relief knowing that whatever we can get, we’ll be able to afford,” said Jared Amato. More importantly thanthe monetary support, Amato gives thanks for the prayers and concerns for their family. “Being here on Sunday was a big dose of medicine that shecouldn’t get in the hospital,” said her husband. It was like the same old Pattiout there, he added.

“A lot of people slept well knowing they helped somebody less fortunate at this time,” he said.

Bourgeois said the biggest part of closing the festival is gathering the names of all the people involved in helping out. There are so many people it’s hard tokeep track. “I don’t know how you could say thank you,” said Bourgeois. “Ican’t say enough about those people.”

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