Gabriella’s 9th Annual Scoop Night was held in Blue Back Square, and the fundraiser hosted by a West Hartford family is a benefit for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s Division of Cardiology.

By Ronni Newton

Hundreds came out to West Hartford’s Blue Back Square on Aug. 31, enjoying delicious cups of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream complete with a wide variety of toppings – dished out by local “celebrities” – during “Gabriella’s Annual Scoop Night.”

For the ninth year in a row, Gabriella Giordano, who just turned 14 and is now a freshman at Hall High School and a member of the Hall Girls Swimming and Diving team, celebrated her birthday by scooping ice cream and raising funds for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. A portion of each ice cream sale is donated to the Division of Cardiology – which saved her life when she underwent successful open heart surgery at age 4 to fix a congenital heart defect.

Gabriella and her family started the fundraiser as a birthday celebration and a way to give back to Connecticut Children’s.

Scoopers included West Hartford Police Chief Tracey Gove, Lt. Michael Perruccio, West Hartford Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Paul Vicinus, Hall High School Principal Dan Zittoun, Town Council Minority Leader Denise Hall, Hall Swim Coach John McClure, Dr. Monica Cipes and Dr. Elizabeth Chisolm from Cipes Pediatric Dentistry, WFSB reporters Melissa Cole and Mark Dixon, and Gina J from WTIC. Teachers from King Philip Middle School, KP Principal Joy Wright, and Norfeldt teachers also volunteered to scoop ice cream, as did several doctors from Connecticut Children’s.

“Scoop Night was a great success and Gabriella has raised about $8,500 to date,” said Adria Giordano, Gabriella’s mom. “Her goal is $10,000 so she is almost there!”

If Gabriella is able to meet this year’s $10,000 goal, she will have raised a grand total of $50,000 for the Division of Cardiology at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

The website is still open for donations, which can be made directly by clicking here.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!