Rooftop event grounded; money still being raised
A well-known rooftop event held annually at the Belmont Inn has been grounded, but organizers are still hoping to raise several thousand dollars for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Jim Santilli, owner of the South Union Township restaurant and bar, said a truss roof was recently constructed over the former flat roof and that the peak makes rooftop camping impossible.
Santilli camped on the roof of the Belmont Inn to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society for 11 years and has been joined the last several years by his teenage son Michael, who is a junior at Laurel Highlands High School.
The Belmont Inn is one of several Fayette County organizations that participates in the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s U.G.L.Y. Bartender contest.
Every March, the society holds a contest to raise money for the fight against multiple sclerosis. U.G.L.Y. is an acronym for Understanding, Generous, Loveable, You.
Last year, Fayette County organizations raised more than $56,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Combined, Belmont Inn, Darby’s Pub & Restaurant, Uniontown Fire Department and Smitty’s Bar & Restaurant raised $56,874 on their own. Several other local establishments raised between $100 and $1,000.
Santilli said several people have stopped to ask him what he plans to do now that the Belmont Inn has a roof he can’t camp on.
“If I had a dollar for every time someone’s asked me that I would have already raised as much money as I did by camping out on the roof,” he said. “I’ve been having problems with the roof leaking for some time and it was nickeling and diming me over the years. I had an opportunity to put a truss roof on and had to take it.”
Santilli said the rooftop camping was his claim to fame and that he’ll miss it, but noted that the Belmont Inn continues to keep fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and has a variety of other activities planned.
The Santillis have been involved with raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society for more than 20 years, becoming involved with the organization when Santilli’s mother, Mary Elizabeth, was diagnosed with the disease 24 years ago.
Santilli said his father started raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society then and that he, too, started to help.
Santilli’s sons, Michael and 9-year-old Matthew, are the third generation to raise money for the cause.
The Santilli family, assisted by Belmont Inn supporters, will be out collecting money March 19-20. A street fair will be held that weekend in the parking lot, offering activities for children and refreshments.
“This year since I won’t be on the roof I’ll be able to be out on the street collecting myself,” Santilli said, adding that his sons and their friends will also be out.
A variety of other fundraisers are scheduled throughout the month, with a St. Patrick’s Day party scheduled for March 17 and bowling tournament scheduled for March 27 at Yough Lanes in Connellsville. Guest bartenders also will be at the Belmont Inn every Saturday this month.
Proceeds from all events will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Santilli credited Belmont Inn employees for stepping up to the plate this year and taking over a lot of the fundraising responsibilities.
Donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society are being accepted at the Belmont Inn, located at 64 Barton Mill Road, until the end of the month.
Information regarding the U.G.L.Y. Bartender Contest is available online at http://pax.nationalmssociety.org and clicking on the “Get U.G.L.Y. to stop MS” link.
For more information regarding activities at Belmont Inn, call 724-438-9883.