By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City teen Rob Malfitano does not pause to ponder what motivates him to host fundraisers to help children receive surgeries for cleft palates.
“I believe what helps drive me to keep fundraising is, I always think about the situation I was in, and what would I have wanted someone to do,” Rob said in an interview Friday. “I do it to give back to others and help these kids, because I was in their shoes at one point.”
Rob, 15, was born with a cleft palate. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth and the lip that can cause difficulty eating and speaking.
He was just 1 1/2 years old when he had his first surgery from Smile Train, while he was in an orphanage in China. Smile Train is a nonprofit organization and charity that provides corrective surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates.
A year later, he was adopted by Jenny and Vince Malfitano, of Ocean City, and he came to the United States.
Since then, Rob has had 21 more corrective surgeries for the cleft palate. And none of it would have been possible had it not been for Smile Train.
Rob and his family are hosting their third Pinball Wizard Tournament at Jilly’s Arcade and the Boardwalk to raise money for Smile Train so that other kids could get the needed operations to live a better life.
The tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, for a cost of $10. There will be plenty of food, prizes music and fun, Rob said.
“We always have fun. Bring a friend and have fun and win prizes,” Rob added. “Kids have a great time and every parent, whether or not they play, always have a great time.”
Rob, who is a sophomore at Ocean City High School, has been hosting fundraisers since he was in the second grade to benefit Smile Train.
He hopes to meet his goal of raising $1,000 this year and even exceed it. The past two tournaments raised around $1,000 each. In all three, 100 percent of the donations go directly to Smile Train for surgeries.
“I really hope we have a good turnout,” Rob said.
Jilly's Arcade is located at 1168 Boardwalk.
Jody Levchuk, co-owner of Jilly’s shops on the Boardwalk and downtown, said it is always a pleasure to help the Malfitano family with the fundraiser at Jilly’s Arcade because they are a wonderful family and Smile Train is such a notable cause.
“Rob is not the only person I know who had a cleft lip and has had to go through life’s obstacles, and it is not easy for any kid,” said Levchuk, who is also an Ocean City Councilman. “What he is doing is tremendous because he is helping others. “Not everyone is as lucky as Rob to have parents like he does.”
Levchuk said he would like to see some adults come out for some pinball games this year.
“Pinball is a popular game for older people. What would be awesome is to see some of the old pinball wizards of Ocean City showcase their skills to help raise money for an important cause,” he said.
While Rob and his dad, Vince Malfitano, called Levchuk the "real hero" because he offers Jilly’s Arcade for the event each year and donates prizes, Levchuk said it is all Rob and his family who deserve the praise.
“We host a lot of fundraisers here. This one is a little different to me because I know Rob personally, Levchuk said. “I’ve known him since he was a kid and I am happy he holds down a job for his age, he is involved in Boy Scouts and as far as I know he gets good grades. I don’t know what more you could ask from a kid? I am happy to donate the arcade to them because of all that he is doing.”
Rob is the youngest of five children. For the Malfitano family, Smile Train is a charity that is near and dear to them.
“The surgeries generally cost $250 each. If there is a match, sometimes by an anonymous donor, the amount will be tripled,” Vince Malfitano said. “That would mean that the donation could provide 12 surgeries for 12 different children in impoverished countries.”
Surgeons volunteer to do the surgeries free of charge.
Like Rob and Levchuk, Malfitano said participants can expect an exciting morning of a little friendly pinball competition.
“There are tons of fun prizes and good things to eat. Moms and dads can drop their kids off for a fun morning of prizes and games in a safe place,” Malfitano added. It’s only $10 a play, and the kids love it at Jilly’s and they love to play.”
Rob may hold a different type of fundraiser next year when he is a junior in high school. But whatever he and his family decide, it will definitely be something to benefit Smile Train and hopefully be at Jilly's Arcade.
“We might switch it up to Skee-Ball,” he said. “We don’t know what we will do next year. We will see how it works out this year. But we will definitely do something fun.”
For more information about the fundraiser visit Jilly’s at shopjillys.com/jillysfundraiser
Leo Schaffer, of Ocean City, is the 2021 Pinball Wizard champ.
