CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Pinball with a purpose: Delray arcade launches gala to benefit disabled adults

Palm Beach Post - 12/31/2019

For one night in November, vintage pinball, Skee-Ball and arcade games spun and sparkled their way into the hearts of the families served by The Arc of Palm Beach County.

The Pinball for a Cause Gala for Developmental Disabilities at the Silverball Museum in downtown Delray Beach raised $15,000 for individuals with autism, Down syndrome and other forms of intellectual and developmental disabilities served by The Arc.

"Our goal as the benefiting charity of the Silverball gala was to be introduced to an entirely new audience and have that audience learn about The Arc of Palm Beach County and our mission of empowering children and adults with developmental disabilities," said Danielle Dumas, director of marketing for The Arc.

Buzzers and bells, the sizzle of food and music from Pocket Change, combined with the cheers from high scores echoed through the two floors of the venue, which boasts more than 100 games.

"It was really wonderful to see all those from the community and the staff from Silverball come together as well to help make it such a success," said Dayna DiDomenico, Silverball Museum general and events manager.

A raffle and auction items also helped raise money that will be allocated to The Arc's annual fund and help sustain its vital programs. But for The Arc family, the event meant much more.

"Due to the publicity sparked by the event, more people now know about The Arc and what we do in Palm Beach County," Dumas said.

The Pinball for a Cause Gala originated with owner Rob Ilvento, whose oldest daughter, Morgan, is on the autism spectrum. While at a food convention many years ago, Morgan gravitated toward a pinball game which held her attention, and sparked Ilvento to start collecting the antique games. He contacted his business partner, Steve Zuckerman, and they both started collecting games until they could no longer fit them into their homes.

They opened the first Silverball Museum Arcade in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to house and display the games for others to play and commemorate. Ilvento's family does a lot of donation work with Autism Speaks and The Arc in New Jersey. While Silverball Asbury Park launched 13 years ago, its Delray Beach sister location debuted just three years ago in 2016.

"Rob and I sat down and discussed how we could implement the same type of gala that Silverball Asbury Park has hosted for the last seven years for The Arc of Monmouth County," DiDomenico said. "Being our location here is slightly different than the other location we wanted to create the event here in Delray on a larger scale."

First and foremost, they wanted to raise awareness for organizations such as The Arc, which assist in all developmental disabilities for children and adults.

The Arc of Palm Beach County focuses on inclusion for all, and strives to assist students and clients to become independent and active members of their families and community. Building its first group home in 1970, The Arc has four group homes fully staffed with trained professionals.

"While there are many organizations for children with developmental disabilities, there are not too many programs for adults, which makes The Arc very special and much needed in the community and nationwide," DiDomenico said. "We wanted to not only raise awareness, but raise funds to help with any needs they may have for the work they do."

Entering the Silverball Museum in downtown Delray is like entering a time warp. A 4-foot disco ball hangs from the ceiling amid antique bar stools and flashing neon signs.

There are sports games from the 1950s as well as games from the '70s and '80s, like "Space Invaders" and "Ms. Pac-Man." Pinball machines include "Star Wars," "World Cup Soccer" and even "The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard."

Silverball has some other events planned for The Arc this year and will soon start planning its second annual gala. Silverball also works with many other community organizations, including the ALS Association and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"We do our best to say yes to all community organizations, everything from school fundraising events to nonprofits to individuals from the community in need," DiDomenico said. "If we have the ability to help others, we need to. It is what I believe to be one of the most important reasons we are all here in life. To connect and to help one another."

The Silverball Museum Delray Beach is located at 19 NE Third Ave. Call 561-266-3294 or visit silverballmuseum.com.

___

(c)2019 The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.)

Visit The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) at www.palmbeachpost.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.