Support Madeline Guarraia with Spaghetti and Meatballs

Five years ago, Madeline Guarraia of Niantic was diagnosed with Leukemia. Recently, she and her family found out that the cancer has returned.

The community has gathered around the family in every way possible — creating a GoFundMe fundraiser, hosting bone marrow registry drives and now, chowing down for the cause.

“Palmieri’s will be hosting a night out for Madeline [on] Tuesday, Dec. 23,” Andrew Palmieri of Palmieri’s NY Style posted on Facebook. “One hundred percent of the days’ sales will be going directly to the Guarraia family to help during this time of need.”

Proceeds from take-out, dine-in and delivery to East Lyme and Waterford count toward the fundraiser, taking place at the 316 Boston Post Rd., Waterford location.

“I have never met Madeline, but Amie Guarraia is my son Drew’s teacher and she is wonderful,” Palmieri wrote.

Madeline’s parents are both teachers in Waterford.

For more info on the GoFundMe fundraiser, visit the Mad About Madeline GoFundMe page. As of 9:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, Madeline’s GoFundMe has raised $26,475 out of a $40,000 goal.

Click here for information on the bone marrow registry drives and how to help out if you can’t attend one of the drives.

Have a news tip? Email jaimie.cura@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.

Photo: Mad About Madeline GoFundMe page