Tapping into the Memory of Alyssa Marie Kent Benefits Children Fighting Cancer

When they're young, you wonder why

Some of them make it, some of them die

Day after day, test after test

Alyssa looked forward to the Treasure Chest

 

Those poignant words were written by Michelle Fugiel, owner of Taps Pub in Oak Forest and aunt to Alyssa Marie Kent, who passed away at the age of 17 after her battle with a form of cancer known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL.

 

On October 20, Michelle's bar on South Cicero Avenue hosted an Ocktoberfest event which included free food, live musical entertainment compliments of Droptop, drink specials, a split-the-pot raffle and 30 raffle baskets that raised more than $2,000 for the Orland Park-based Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

 

Taps Pub often hosts benefits to help raise money for local charities. In the case of the successful Ocktoberfest fundraiser, Michelle had a very personal reason to host the event and ultimately help ensure its success. "I remember going to the hospital with Alyssa Marie and seeing all the children going through treatment," said Michelle. "These children deserve to smile, and the Treasure Chest Foundation helps that happen. Alyssa Marie looked forward to going to the Treasure Chest after her treatments and that was usually the only smile she had for that day."

1bTaps Ocktoberfest Chairwomen Toni Kent-Carlson (left) and her big sister, Taps Pub owner Michelle Fugiel

Taps Ocktoberfest Chairwomen Toni Kent-Carlson (left) and her big sister, Taps Pub owner Michelle Fugiel, display a few of the 30 raffle baskets which helped raise funds to benefit the Treasure Chest Foundation.