The Oakdale School and community are coming together to help Leslie and Paul Politowicz.
Leslie, 33, was diagnosed with colon cancer last spring. She has survived two major surgeries since then, including removal of her colon and gall bladder and is on 12 sessions of chemotherapy for tumors in her liver and lymph nodes. The family has two young daughters, Taylor, 8, who attends third grade at Oakdale School, and Mackenzie, 3.
The school has scheduled two fund-raisers to help the family deal with medical expenses. Paul, a union laborer, works for Manafort Bros. The family has medical insurance through Paul’s employer, but is approaching coverage caps. Prior to her diagnosis and treatment, Leslie worked as a vet technician at Veterinary Emergency Treatment Services on Route 85 in Oakdale.
Sandy Kulterman and Caroline Whittaker, friends of Leslie’s, contacted Mark Johnson, Oakdale School principal, to see if the school could help out. All three families have young children; Sandy and Leslie used to work together.
“We sat down and said we want to do some things for Leslie, and let’s figure out what is manageable and give people something for their support,” Johnson said.
A pasta dinner in the Tyl Middle School cafeteria on Thursday, Nov. 20, will feature pasta, sauces, and salads provided by the Olive Garden, bread and homemade cookies and brownies for dessert, and donated Pepsi-Cola beverages. Volunteers will serve the meal. Between the two seatings, one at 5 p.m. and one at 6:30 p.m., organizers hope to serve up to 400 pasta dinners.
Politowicz grew up in Stonington and Mystic, graduating from Stonington High School. Her mother, Valerie, who still lives in the area, has been driving her to and from treatments at Miriam Hospital in Providence. Her older sister, Jennifer, who lives in Pawcatuck, has also been helping out.
With two young daughters, Politowicz is focused on being strong for them. She hopes to return to her work as a vet technician.
The Oakdale students are planning to hold a Miles for Leslie walkathon on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 24 and 25. They will collect pledges to raise funds for her and, weather permitting, walk around the outside of the building on her behalf.
Oakdale School has a strong history of helping families in the community as they deal with cancer and other medical challenges, Johnson said. Last year, students raised money for Bob Ferendo, their now-retired custodian. There are upward of 300 families in the school community.
Johnson, who has lived in Montville for several years, said he is continually amazed by how the community comes together to care for each other.
“In most cases, you might feel like there’s not much happening here, but when someone is in crisis and they need support, it’s unbelievable how this community comes together,” he said. “Montville has a core of really fine people who see a connectedness between each other. When people really need something, they respond to it.”
By Suzanne Thompson
Special to the Times
Tickets to the pasta dinner at Tyl Middle School are $10 for adults and $6 for children. Purchase in advance by calling Kulterman at 625-8451 and Whittaker at 848-8480, or pay at the door.