The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) recently hosted an event called “Operation Gratitude” in honor of John Spinello, the inventor of the classic board game Operation. After attendees enjoyed a screening of OPERATION: Operation the Power of Play, they sipped on craft cocktails, bid on silent auction items and played an over-sized operation game at The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime, located at 821 Apricot Avenue, Sarasota. Over $10,000 was raised with proceeds being split between John Spinello, the inventor of the classic board game Operation and Family Network on Disabilities of Manasota (FND), a local non-profit organization that assists families of children with disabilities and special needs to go “from Heartache to Hope – One Family at a Time.”
Spinello’s classic American story is chronicled in OPERATION: Operation the Power of Play, a 28-minute documentary. After striking a raw deal to sell the patent to the game for $500 and forfeiting his rights to royalties, Spinello saw the game go on to sell 45 million copies. This moving film goes on to show how Spinello’s broken heart was mended after learning that the game he invented has touched many more people, in many more ways than he ever could have imagined. Spinello is now 82-years-old and although not bitter, his financial situation forced him to sell his dream home and he drives for a ride-sharing service.
“As marketing and communications professionals, we are naturally drawn to good stories, especially ones that are inspiring,” said Kim Livengood, APR, CPRC, president of CWC-FPRA. “After learning of John’s situation, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help this man who continues to bring joy to so many people.”
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