It Takes Two to Tango and a Community to Fundraise

More than 50 attended at on Thursday.

Lisa Angerami and Darcie Simches organized the fundraiser to benefit Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

That's the hopsital that saved Angerami's son, DJ's life after he was in a car accident Christmas Eve 2010 just blocks away from his New Hartford home. He was unconscious for five days and went to Connecticut Children's to be treated for brain damage.

Lisa Angerami woke up one October morning feeling destined to host a fundraiser for the hospital.

People from across the state and from as far as Michigan and Los Angeles visiting family came to the event.

Linda Pollock, of Granby, was drawn to the fundraiser because her son, Tyler Pollock, is healing from brain injuries after being by Salmon Brook Park in his hometown as he was crossing the road.

"He's nicely," said Linda Pollock, who came with her friend, Gabrielle Murphy. "He's going to be graduating with his class."

Tyler Pollock will be attending Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston next year.

Eddie Salgado, of in Canton, and pianist Jeff Weiselberg donated their time to perform at the event. Salgado did an Argentine tango with Ruth Swift, 84, of North Windham, who has been taking lessons at the Canton dance center for 22 years. Barbara Keiser, of Avon, and George Fragassi, of Mansfield, are also students there. They danced an American smooth tango. Professional couple Mick Malek and Diana Chickosky closed with an international tango.

Magician Brian Miller also performed some magic tricks.

Staff at Belle Terrace served food to guests. Attendees bid in a silent auction.

Ticket proceeds amounted to about $4,250. With an hour-and-a-half left before the end of the event, people had already contributed about $2,500 cumulatively for the raffle items.

The final amount raised has not been released at this time.