Ashley Gigliotti from the Zelienople Rotary Club weaves through customers to serve food as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

Rob McGraw

ZELIENOPLE — ShuBrew Brewery and Food was jam-packed with people and takeout orders for all of the right reasons on Wednesday evening, Jan. 8.

About two dozen Rotary Club of Zelienople members teamed up to help run the local eatery and raise funds in support of the Ramirez family, whose 10-year-old son, Jax, is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease that affects about 1 in every 1.6 million people.

Sarah Rice with the Zelienople Rotary Club takes orders as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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“It just speaks to our community,” said past president Rich Gigliotti about the impressive turnout. “It’s exactly what I anticipated it was going to be like. Anytime the Rotary Club is doing something to support or uplift someone that’s gone through anything, it’s unbelievable the outpouring of support from all of our community members.”

The Ramirez family has been traveling back-and-forth from Palo Alto, Calif., as Jax participates in a clinical trial at Stanford University to uncover possible gene therapy after being unable to find a lifesaving bone marrow donation.

While the cost of living in California has taken its toll on the family, plenty of Zelienople residents and local businesses have been behind them every step of the way.

Rich Gigliotti from the Zelienople Rotary Club carries hot trays of food through a packed bar as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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“The support is humbling,” said Jax’s mother, Missy Ramirez, who was helping serve patrons behind the bar. “When you’re faced with an unimaginable situation, the only thing that you can pray for is hope and this family of people gives us the hope my family needs. They’re some of the most amazing, heartfelt people I’ve ever met.”

The collaboration between all three parties began about three months ago when Rotary club members started brainstorming ways to help the Ramirezes.

“It just came up as an idea and unanimously, the whole club was like ‘Absolutely, we’re doing this,’” Gigliotti said. “ShuBrew was kind enough over the last few months to try and figure out how to actually make this all work.”

ShuBrew’s management gave the club a crash course on how to operate the restaurant prior to the charity event. Members seated guests, took orders, distributed food and cleaned off tables as customers flocked in and out of the popular establishment along Main Street.

It was a win-win situation for everyone involved, according to ShuBrew owner Erika Shumaker, who said she hopes the event raised “at least a few thousand” for the family.

Tip boxes are used to help collect donations as members of the Zelienople Rotary Club raised money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

Rob McGraw

“These are all really great people and they’re all a part of the community,” she said. “For us it’s been a good experience. We really made it evident that we’re doing this for charity. I think it’s overall just a great thing and it’s raising awareness. At the end of the day, it’s helping to save Jax’s life.”

According to Missy Ramirez, her family will return to California in February and then again over the summer before continually traveling back-and-forth as the clinical trial continues.

She noted that people can follow Jax’s journey on Facebook and Instagram @bethematchforjax. For anyone who would like to donate to the cause, they can do so through Venmo @BetheMatchforJax.

Zack Shumaker with the Zelienople Rotary Club checks tickets for orders that are still waiting as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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Teresa Gadberry, left, from the Zelienople Rotary Club helps Rebecca McClincy with the menu as members from the club raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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Cindy Slayback with the Zelienople Rotary Club serves Kelly, Jeff, and Zach (not pictured) Seybert as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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Jim Moser with the Zelienople Rotary Club opens the door for customers as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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Zack Shumaker with the Zelienople Rotary Club hands out a to go order as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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Zack Shumaker with the Zelienople Rotary hands out an order as part of the club’s effort to raise money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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Crystal Horan rings up orders as members of the Zelienople Rotary Club raised money during a fundraiser at ShuBrew Brewery & Food in Zelienople for Jackson “Jax” Ramirez, who is battling IPEX syndrome, a rare genetic disease, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle.

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