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Friends Plan Benefit Dinner For Ailing Dade City Man

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

DADE CITY - For years, Mike Agnello has established a presence in the Dade City community. He is past president of the Dade City Kiwanis Club, owner of the Osceola Tavern, an area musician, and he ran for city commission unsuccessfully in April.

Agnello and his wife, Claire, a teacher at San Antonio Elementary, have four children, ages 6 months to 12 years.

Agnello, a diabetic, found his active life curtailed a few months ago when a foot injury became infected, resulting in the amputation of four toes on his right foot. Currently undergoing hyperbaric treatments, he is unable to work and has had to hire additional help at the tavern. Agnello ran into financial trouble in 2007 for not paying sales and property taxes. Now he has been beset by medical costs.

"There have been a lot of expenses," said family friend Penny Morrill, CEO of Sunrise Domestic and Sexual Violence Center and past president of the Kiwanis Club. "What I'm the most concerned about is having food and clothes for the family."

With that in mind, Morrill and the Dade City Kiwanis Club are planning a spaghetti dinner benefit for Agnello and his family 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, at Tom's Restaurant, 15323 U.S. 301 N., across from the north end of Dade City Business Center. The dinner costs $7 per person and can be eaten at Tom's or taken out.

According to Morrill, Agnello faces at least six more weeks of therapy, plus skin grafts. In addition, he has developed vision problems.
Morrill said that she and their fellow Kiwanians are eager to help Agnello and his family.

"He's a very bright man and an asset to our community," she said.

For information about the spaghetti dinner benefit for Agnello and his family, call Morrill at (352) 424-2304.

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