By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Comic magician and hypnotist Denny More will appear at the Manville-Hillsborough Elks Lodge on Brooks Boulevard for a fundraiser benefiting Manville toddler Jake Whitenight.
”They (the Elks) set the whole thing up to help raise money for Jake and his medical expenses,” Lynn Whitenight, Jake’s mother, said. “Bonnie Wisniewski and Kevin Cichon contacted me to let me know that this is what they were doing and to make sure that we were there.
”Any time anyone offers to help us, we do anything that we can to help make it successful,” she said.
The benefit is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, and comes at a crucial time Jake, born with microtia bilateral atresia, a condition that results in an improperly formed ear canal, and holes in his heart was diagnosed “failure to thrive” about a month ago.
”The diagnosis is physical and means that physically he is just not growing and we need to figure out why, and fix it,” Ms. Whitenight said. “We have been recently to cardiology, endocrinology, ear nose and throat specialist, and nutritionist everything so far has come back fine, and Jake’s specialists have found him in good health.”
The troubling diagnosis comes between surgeries scheduled to correct Jake’s ear canals, so the Elks benefit is greatly appreciated by the Whitenights.
”The Elks dedicates everything of what they do to children with special needs, what more can be said,” Ms. Whitenight said. “The Elks have stepped forward twice for our family to let us know that they were here for us. First with Jake, then a second time with our third son Casey when he was first diagnosed with Autism. We are so grateful and feel so welcomed there with our entire family. This group of members should be commended for their work and extraordinary deeds that many times go unnoticed and with little thanks in a small community.
”Our family will always remember the Christmas trees given, the holiday parties, the phone calls to check in, and the people behind all of those acts that have their own families, their own issues, and their own lives and still dedicate their time and love to children like Jake in families like ours,” she added.
Mr. More is an experienced entertainer, making appearances at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Caroline’s Comedy Club on Broadway, and Jerry Springer’s TV show. He has entertained many with his laughter and mind games along with his “hypnosteria” show.
The show is intended for adults only, and only those 18 years and older will be admitted.
”The comedy show on Saturday at the Elks looks to be drawing a nice crowd,” Ms. Whitenight said. “I am very excited to be able to see everyone and have a nice adult night out, be in the company of great friends and family and be able to personally thank everyone who comes in support of Jake. We will be bringing Jake down to the Elks club at 5 p.m. on Saturday so that he can be with everyone while we set up for the show, and they can meet him and I am very excited about that. I love when he meets new people.”
Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by calling Kevin at 908-295-1895 or Bonnie at 908-500-8690. A cash bar and bar menu will also be available.
The tickets for the SUV raffle will also be sold during the evening with the cost of $50 each. Patrons can pay $5 for a chance to win one ticket throughout the evening. Other fundraising benefits include an upcoming golf outing on April 18th at the Architects Golf Course in Phillipsburg. Registration forms and information is available by contacting Katherine at 908-213-3080, ext.119, or email [email protected].
To read more about Jake’s story visit: http://www.jakewhitenight.com/jake.html.
