Local dad band rock out for a cause

Six middle-aged dads from Rockville Centre have started a band that is gaining a lot of attention for its charitable endeavors, performing to max-capacity crowds while raising money for the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation.

Tim Mann and Joe Di Salvo both channeled their love for music as a way to get through the solitude of the pandemic. In 2021, they decided to form a group, despite having little experience performing in front of an audience.

Eventually, through gradual practice and the addition of bandmates Craig “The Blade” Ferrante, Todd Restivo, Brian Haggerty and Sean Kilduff — the band, MannChild was formed.

Together, they perform a variety of covers, from 70s rock classics to more modern hits of today, including songs by the Foo Fighters, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Rock, Jimi Hendrix, The Clash, Zach Bryan, The Cure and many more.

MannChild has committed to ensuring that every public performance is tied to charitable fundraising efforts.

Last month, the group performed in front of 300 attendees at Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails and Rooftop 32 lounge to raise money for the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation.

The concert, which was the group’s second-ever live performance, raised nearly $6,000 in donations for the foundation, which conducts patient-focused research on diagnosing and curing various conditions caused by nerve damage.

Through a personal connection with Matt Downing, board chairman of the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, the group wanted to help aid in the fight for those with debilitating neurological conditions.

Di Salvo said both Downing, himself, and his children have struggled to overcome one of the most common hereditary nerve disorders, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

According to the foundation’s research, the disease is estimated to affect 2.6 million people worldwide and is linked to more than 100 different known genes. Symptoms can affect nerves in the arms, hands, legs and feet, causing muscle weakness, deformities, and decreased or unregulated sensation and balance problems.

With many symptoms first developing in childhood and adolescence, research from the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation and other organizations to improve detection, diagnosis and potential treatments become a significant priority for those dealing with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and similar conditions.

Di Salvo expressed his sympathy for Downing and shared why he and MannChild felt it was important to contribute to the foundation’s cause.

“Matt has had multiple surgeries with hardware installed and removed,” Di Salvo said. “It’s one of those diseases that, because it’s not prominent … it just doesn’t have awareness and fundraising. So, we want to embrace it and let everybody know that it affects key members of our community.”

Fundraising during the concert was conducted using QR codes for online donations, silent auctions, and the sale of band merchandise, with all proceeds going to help families with neurological disorders.

The concert marked the group’s second successful fundraising campaign, following their debut at the 2023 Playing on the Porch music festival, where they raised several dollars in donations for the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition.

Not only was the show at Kasey’s a fundraising success, it brought together college students returning home, served as an end-of-year party for high school students and gave parents a chance to celebrate a positive cause with friends while enjoying great music.

MannChild hopes to continue representing worthy charities and performing at more great events, including the 2024 Playing on the Porch music festival in Rockville Centre on Sept. 7.

To learn more about the charities MannChild supports, visit HNF-Cure.org and RVCBCC.org for more information.