While on vacation with his family in Greece, Niko Moulagianis, owner of Niko’s Bar & Gyros, received news of the July 24 shooting that left building commissioner David Smerek dead.
“I’ve been in this business 35 years. I’ve been in North Royalton, for I believe, it’s been 14 years and I just dedicated myself — at the time this was my fifth establishment — and I just said to myself that I’m going to help out when it comes to local,” Moulagianis said. “A tragedy like that, anything I can do to help.”
To help out, proceeds from Niko’s and the North Royalton Browns Backers wine barrel and Yetti cooler, stuffed with other prizes like a former Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs-signed photo, raffle will be donated to Smerek’s family.
“If you want to do something good, start with the community,” he said. “That’s the best advice I gave myself about 13 years ago and I’ve stuck to it ever since, and it makes me happy.”
Following the resolution of the Strongsville Browns Backers chapter, Moulagianis and Tim Rudnick, North Royalton Browns Backers president and frequent patron of Niko’s, established the North Royalton chapter in 2018.
Within the first year of the chapter, membership grew from about 45-40 members to 130, encouraging the pair to ramp up their charity efforts. During their first year, they raised about $4,500 for the Wound Warriors Project.
In 2019, the chapter was awarded Worldwide Chapter of the Year after donating $25,000 to charities, with a majority of that money being invested in the North Royalton Community.
These investments in the community included creating a scholarship found for North Royalton High School seniors and donating money to the city’s fire department.
Having gained a reputation for their charitable efforts, providing support to the Smerek family was a natural fit for the pair’s latest community contribution, which commenced on Aug. 29.
“They say money doesn’t buy this. Well, money makes it a lot easier when you’re going through a permanent life adjustment like this young family is,” Rudnick said. “So, we put this together.”
Prior to announcing the raffle, Moulagianis spoke with Mayor Paul Marnecheck who arranged for him to discuss the raffle with David Smerek’s son Adam Smerek.
“I told him, ‘This is what I want to do for your family. I’m not going to make any promises, but they have been successful in the past,” he said, “and the only thing I’d ask you in return, if you guys, or your mom or someone from your family can be here and you guys actually pull the ticket.’”
Moulagianis explained that Adam Smerek was grateful for the contribution and agreed to be present for the drawing.
From this raffle, he anticipates selling 500 tickets and raising close to $10,000, based on how previous raffles have gone.
As a part of its fourth annual raffle, 1,000 $20 tickets are up for sale, giving participants the chance to win a Red Fox Reclaiming donated custom wine barrel that holds 15 bottles.
Previously, Niko’s raffled off bourbon barrels but decided to change up the prize this year.
On top of the barrel, Moulagianis chose to inscribe Niko’s and the Browns Backers’ new tagline “Strength in the community,” further spreading their mission and emphasizing the support they’re offering to the Smerek family.
“We have no way to help comfort that family. This is really the only avenue we have to try to let them know that they are not alone,” Rudnick said. “It’s ridiculous to say we’re with them but we are. It would be insulting to say like them, because that’s not what we’re doing, but we’re grieving with them and we’re here for them.”
To motivate people to purchase tickets, a new prize will be added each week until winners are drawn during Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 14.
“I’ve always said, ‘You can’t conquer the world to help everyone, but at least start with your backyard,’” Moulagianis said.
By ADRIANA GASIEWSKI
Reporter
