Carbondale, PA – What would you do to make your child’s dreams come true? If you’re like John and Roseann DeAntonio, the answer would be, “just about anything.” The DeAntonio’s enlisted the help of Band-Aids, a local charity organization, to do just that for their daughter, Gianna.
Band-Aids is a local charity organization that sends mentally challenged and medically fragile individuals to the concert of their choice. The charity aims to provide a true VIP experience for its nominees. These perks include, but are not limited to, VIP access to the band or artist of their choice, free merchandise and accommodations at the venues and front row seats or VIP section seating.
“Gianna loves, loves, loves Luke Bryan and has been singing along to his songs since she was just three years old,” Roseann shared. “Going to to see him live and meeting him would be a lifetime dream come true.”
The local charity sent Gianna, along with her mother and father, to Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country Tour on Sunday, August 19, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
In addition to attending the show, the charity provided accommodations for VIP passes that included an invitation to “Luke’s Lounge” before the show. The Lounge features a two song pre-show acoustic performance by Luke Bryan and complimentary appetizers. They will also receive an exclusive VIP merchandise gift and a personal concert concierge. Band-Aids was also able to set up a meet and greet for Gianna with Luke Bryan himself!
This is not the first time that Luke Bryan has participated in Band-Aids efforts to make their VIP’s dreams come true. Last July, Band-Aids sent Forest City, PA, resident Preston Cosklo, to Bryan’s Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Everyday Tour. Luke Bryan and his team worked with the charity to get Preston a one-on-one meet and greet with the country superstar.
Having the artists’ and their teams’ support has been instrumental in Band-Aids success, according to Michael J. Pisanchyn, Jr., Esquire, founder of Band-Aids.
“When we first started sending VIP’s to shows, we ran into some challenges with finding front-row accessible seating and getting in contact with people at the venues and on the tour to arrange for closer seating for our VIP’s in wheelchairs.” While the charity did not run into that issue this time around, it is still very common with other shows they try to arrange.
“It’s unfortunate that accommodations for medically fragile individuals are so far away from the stage. We really try to not only get our VIP’s front row, but also bring attention to this issue in an effort to change it. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to be front row at their favorite artist’s concert but for some people, that’s simply not an option.”
Band-Aids asks for nominations for mentally challenged and medically fragile individuals, which is how it found Gianna.
The charity runs completely on volunteers, Pisanchyn said, so all donations go directly to granting wishes for people. To donate to Band-Aids, follow this link. You can also nominate someone for tickets to a show and a potential meeting with the musician here.