The Stow community is wishing, hoping and praying for Gino Altieri, a fifth-grader at Lakeview Intermediate School who is battling cancer.Gino was diagnosed last year with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that mainly occurs in the muscles of the trunk, arms and/or legs.“This is a kid who loves Star Wars, soccer and coming to school every day — which he no longer always gets to do,” wrote school counselor and Gino fan Susan Deitrick. “He learned from his Nonna that there is nothing more important than family. He reported this to his fifth-grade class with Fay Dean and Colleen Mahoney with such seriousness and awe it made all the kids stop and listen. The adults, too!“When asked what he wanted for Christmas, Gino said, ‘Nothing! I already got it! I beat cancer!’ ”Turns out that feeling of euphoria was short-lived. Gino suffered a terrible seizure on Jan. 7, indicating the cancer was back.Brain surgery followed. “He is now back in his Jedi persona, aiming his sword, aka chemo and radiation, right at the heart of that enemy,’’ Deitrick wrote. ‘‘This time, though, he is planning on being at school every chance he gets, working again at being just an ordinary Lakeview student.”To assist Gino’s family with mounting medical costs and other expenses, TGI Fridays in Stow, through manager Jeanie Caldwell, has offered to do a “Jedi Gino” Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday with raffle baskets up for grabs. Bring a flier (which is a must, available at the school) to the restaurant that day and get 20 percent of your bill (dine-in or carryout) donated to Gino’s fund. Lakeview’s K-Kids and Klub USA are making and selling encouragement “Heart & Hand” punchouts, Joining Hearts & Hands 4 Gino. “We will give buyers a heart or hand cutout of construction paper to write a note to Gino, including your name,” Deitrick wrote.“Lakeview Student Council is organizing a Lakeview Students vs. Lakeview Staff Volleyball Tournament for Friday, May 16. So, if a student or staff member asks you for a pledge as they commit to playing in the volleyball game, dig deep and add your own prayer to the stash!”Sharon Deitrick — Susan’s sister — and the HALO Foundation are doing what they can to show support. HALO’s mission is keeping alive the story of 9/11’s Flight 93.Spaghetti fundraiserFamily and friends are coming together to host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Prime 93 at Anthes, 4315 Manchester Road, New Franklin, to help Clyde W. Gano with rapidly accruing medical expenses.It’s hoped that Gano will be able to go to one of the few clinics — in Oregon or England — able to slow the devastating effects of chorea, a rare neurological disease that causes uncontrollable large muscle movements and loss of memory.“It is our hope,” his children write, “to be able to give back to the person who has given so much to us.” Gano and the former Connie Roan have four children — Chad, Ryan, Shannon Spencer and Allison Immel. Gano has worked a variety of jobs, most recently for Nationwide Insurance and DiStefano Insurance in Canal Fulton. He formerly coached youth baseball, football, basketball and soccer, and he was president of the Junior Baseball League, the Basketball League and the Northwest High School All Sports booster club and served on the board of Northwest Youth Sports Association.Gano’s medical anomaly began to surface after a series of mini strokes. He is now “waiting to go to Oregon and fighting whatever this is to the end,” he wrote in an email.To make a reservation or for information, please email allisonimmel@gmail.com or call 330-524-6833. Donations also can be sent to the Clyde W. Gano Medical Expense Fund, 7172 Cedar Grove Ave. NW, North Canton, OH 44720 or any FirstMerit Bank (any location).Be a secret valentineValentine cards from all over the country are encouraged to cheer a 13-year-old cancer patient.Please send them to James Bennett, sign them “secret admirer” and mail to 4684 W. Streetsboro Road, Richfield, OH 44286.Kudos to church volunteers Big, beautiful bouquets to St. Mark Lutheran Church of Tallmadge for taking the time to honor its volunteers, who have planted themselves in the church and the community doing outreach simply because it’s the right thing to do.Diane Pencin, communications chairwoman for the church, said it started with a surprise celebration last month to honor church organist Mary Curtis for her 40 years of service. During that celebration, the church “decided it was time to collectively show our appreciation to ALL our volunteers who help make St. Mark Church the informative, fun and spiritual place that it is,” Pencin said.So at noon Sunday, all of the volunteers will be honored at a gala luncheon in the fellowship hall for their good work and dedication, with each receiving a surprise gift. “The list of volunteers and their activities seems endless,” Pencin continued. “To mention a few for which they volunteer: Angels in the Kitchen, Property Committee, Church Council, Caring Cards Ministry, Knitting for Charity, Crop Walk (Akron), Good Neighbors (Tallmadge-Akron), St. Mark Youth Sunday School, Adult Bible Study, catering for a variety of events, Music and Worship, WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), events (women’s group), Out to Lunch Bunch, Haven of Rest, Piece Corps (quilts for worldwide distribution), St. Bernard’s food program, Holy Roamers (mystery trips) and more.” Mardi Gras dinner benefitThe Falls Cancer Club, which has assisted cancer patients in Cuyahoga Falls with cancer-related bills since 1948, is hosting its fourth annual Mardi Gras dinner fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at First Christian Church, 2253 Third St., Cuyahoga Falls. The Mardi Gras celebration will include beads, Zydeco and Cajun music and a lot of fun, said Bonnie Severt, chairwoman of the Falls Cancer Club. “So, come join the fun and wear your green, gold and purple.” All profits from this dinner will directly aid patients in Cuyahoga Falls.The club has helped more than 1,130 patients with bills for prescriptions, hospitals, doctors, chemotherapy, radiation and laboratory, as well as durable medical goods like walkers, canes, portable toilets, wheelchairs and bath chairs.Dinner costs $5 for jambalaya; $4.50 for gumbo-style chicken Creole; $3.50 for red beans and rice; $1.50 for king cake; and $10 for a combination dinner (includes all items).Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.