The Straniero Family, Cleveland, OH

2010 Cleveland Black & White Ball Recipient

John Straniero passed away unexpectedly in November 2009, leaving behind his wife Deb and their three children, ages 17, 13 and 11.  The Straniero family’s passion had been coaching children’s sports and Deb continued that important volunteer work.  She was co-commissioner of the East Side Challenger Baseball league, which allows children with handicaps a chance to play organized baseball.  Deb, a cancer survivor herself, was also the founder of a group within her church called “Code Pink”, which provides support for women with breast cancer. She assisted in other volunteer efforts through her church including delivering food to the Our Lade Of Fatima Family Center and making meals for those in need in her community.  Through donations, Betterment was able to offset household expenses, so that all of their children could remain in the current schools where they were active and involved students.

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