Crowd packs HIT for COLE's Foundation fundraiser

IRONWOOD - The Historic Ironwood Theatre was packed Saturday for a good cause, as Ethan Bortnick performed at COLE's Foundation's 10th annual celebration.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout," said Aaron Ruotsala, estimating a 400-450 people attended the performance. "I heard a lot of really good positive feedback, folks seemed to enjoy themselves."

Ruotsala and his wife, Moireen, founded COLE's Foundation in 2008 in memory of their son, Cole Ruotsala, who died of cancer that year. The family established the foundation after they realized how many people wished to help other families in which children also had pediatric cancer.

Bortnick, who is billed as "The World's Youngest Solo Musician to Headline His Own Concert Tour," played piano and interacted with the audience - including bringing two members on stage to compose a song based on their ringtones.

Bortnick began playing piano when he was three years old, and discovered he had the ability to play back a song after hearing it once.

Along with Bortnick's performance, several area high school students - Emily Carey, Shawna Jackson, Andy Aspinwall, Martina Anderson, Ella Lynott, Kinley Lyons, Ally Rye, Gavin Ransanici and Abby Ahonen - were brought on stage to be recognized for the difference they make in the community. The students had all been nominated as finalists to receive a $500 scholarship from the foundation, which was ultimately given to Aspinwall.

Emma Broeniman and her dad, from Appleton, were also recognized at the event. Emma, 16, has had nine brain tumors - including ones currently on her brain stem and optic nerve - as well as other diseases throughout her young life.

The COLE's Foundation invited the family to Saturday's performance to raise awareness of the disease by telling Emma's story and to present them with a $2,000 check to help with expenses.

For more information on COLE's Foundation, visit colesfoundation.org.