FF Hockey Tournament 2021
We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to our Trustees Steve & Greg Bernhardt, photographer Stu Bernhardt, the Bernhardt family, all volunteers, and trustees Lauren Pericone and Elaine Schmidt for everything they did to put together the Annual Roller Hockey Tournament!
A brief summary from Saturday’s event along with photos below .
“It was a huge success. We had over 70 players. It went from 12 to 8, A little later than we wanted but we powered through the long day and sun. I was there for almost 12 hours with family and friends running it and playing in it at the same time. It ran pretty smoothly. We raised $2,700 from player entries, donations, and selling a few shirts which I will drive up to you when I can. Attached are a few pictures my dad took from the day. Also attached is a few second video shot from a drone that was taken by a player. We introduced a bunch of players, spectators and fans to the Frances Foundation and people are already begging me to do one again in the future, which is going to happen. On to Cornhole ! “
Grip & Rip FORE the Kids!
The Frances Foundation Open
WOW !! INAUGURAL FRANCES FOUNDATION OPEN was spectacular in every way. We are immensely grateful to our generous golfers, sponsors, guests, and hardworking volunteers . Everyone contributed to a fun-filled awesome outing.
From the beautiful Pebble Creek course, to the delicious bbq, to the invigorating wind , to the amazing golf shots, to the tasty jello shots, this day “smiled” from start to finish. Highlights were many ; but clearly most special was honoring our treating warriors Brady Waltz from Middletown, Bobby DelGatto from Old Bridge, and McKenzy Hupke from Lacey, our 35 surgeries hero who has been treating since 2016, these 3 courageous warriors representing all of our pediatric cancer warriors. The inspirational “moment of the day “ was the emotional rousing standing ovation from our 200 lunch guests for McKenzy and all of our warriors.
A few days ago our warrior Flynn Sullivan earned his angel’s wings, and our solemn minute of silence was dedicated to Flynn and all of our pediatric cancer angels.
Heartfelt thanks to our PREMIER SPONSORS : Chick-Fil –A stores of the Jersey Shore, The Mya Lin Terry Foundation, City National Bank, Holmdel PBA Local 239, Bernie & Ann Flynn, and the Dean Michael Clarizio Cancer Foundation ; as well as to our PURPLE SPONSORS : Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall, Athlete’s Alley, The Ciccarelli Family, The Todisco Family, Tom & Maria Spinner, Steve Tobia & Family, Swing Loose at Bell Works, The Cracked Olive, Builder’s Architectural Millwork, Dennis Hall, Bob& Kathy Gluck, The Ansell Law Firm-Andrea White Esq., M.Kogan Consulting, Building & Construction Trades council Bronx Board of Business Agents, Van Cleef Engineering, AND ALL OF OUR TEE & GREEN SIGN SPONSORS.
This event was a financial success as it will bring approximately $40,000.00 of precious smiles and needed assistance to our kids and their families.
Attached are photos of our early bird event volunteers and our angel Stephanie’s dad Ed Bader, and his golfing partners including Bill Fisher from our generous supporter Dynatec Systems, Inc. Below are a 6 more event photos ( scroll down). Many more photos will be posted on our facebook page and website once received from our photographer “Butchie “ from our sister charity the Holmdel Kiwanis.
All are welcome to join us at our annual softball tournament and picnic on Saturday, July 10th at Cross Farm Park in Holmdel. Details to follow.
God Bless all who made yesterday a very special day for our warriors and angels.
Grip & Rip Co-Chairs: Chris Heugle, Patti Tucker, Mark Zelina, & Bob Heugle
WINNING FOURSOME WITH 12 UNDER….FF TRUSTEE BRYCE, SON CONNOR, BILLY LAKO & MIKE ZERA
Santa Day
Santa Day was enjoyed by more than 50 families, more than 100 children, more than 200 guests , all staggered arrivals, all masked, all maintaining social distancing, including
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Santa , Elfs, Reindeer, Snowmen, & even Elmo
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Family portraits by Bill Zapcic at our welcoming Snowman background;
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More than 350 toys, games, gifts, gift cards provided to the children;
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Family gift cards provided to all families;
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Hot chocolate & cookies galore & candy canes;
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Holiday music all day by DJ Jay ……. many of our volunteers worked outdoors from 9 am to 5 pm
In the true spirit of this blessed holiday season, It was a special day of giving joy, excitement , thrills, smiles, and happiness to hurting children and their families.
GALA 2020
For all who missed our virtual gala, and for all that would like to take another roller coaster ride of emotions, here is a link to watch our gala in its entirety.
https://youtu.be/hm8jeRUwiLU
This event was a smashing success. Co-hosts Cookie West and Syd Rubman, and the talented singer , our warrior McKenzy , were spectacular !! as are all of the kids in the videos.
Please join me in thanking all who made our virtual gala an extraordinary event; especially trustee Keia Rubman and her family. Most importantly, although remotely, we were still together, connected as a family, honoring our pediatric cancer warriors and angels.
The videos shown during the gala highlight the smiles, happiness, and comfort you helped us bring to our pediatric cancer families throughout the year.
As a fundraiser, the virtual gala was a smashing success because of your generosity . The event raised an incredible total of $207,300.00 ; broken down as follows:
Super 50/50 Cash Raffle : $67,500
Donations During the Gala : $16, 765
Silent Auction : $11,955
Sponsorships & Misc. Donations : $ 111,080
In the couple of weeks since our gala, your donations have enabled the FF to a host a memorable and special family gathering for our 3 y/o warrior Xander who was discharged last week from CHOP to hospice, pay mortgage & rent bills, contributed to the purchase of a vehicle for a family to visit their child in the hospital, and more. Thank you !!
iPlay Breakfast & Funfest 2020
On March 1st, 2020 we held our annual buffet breakfast, rides, and games at iPlay America! From the bacon, eggs and french toast to the bumper cars, laster tag, whirly bird, skee ball, video games to munchkins and cupcakes, the kids had a blast!! More than 30 pediatric cancer families and about 240 guests enjoyed our funfest!! Thank you to the Chafart Family, trustees Ed and Lorena and Jr. trustees Jackie, Vienna and Katerina for their outstanding efforts in organizing and hosting this event!
Holiday Party 2019
About 400 guests and volunteers attended our annual children's holiday party! In addition to plenty of delicious food, desserts, and beverages, the children enjoyed the following:
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Santa and his helpers
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A fireplace with 450 toys & gifts
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A care bear decorating station
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A slime station
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3 awesome face painters
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3 arts & crafts stations
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A fun photo booth
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DJ Jay, music, & dancing
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Family portraits & gift cards
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The Moment of Magic characters
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Olaf, Snowman, Reindeer and MORE!
Thanksgiving Smiles 2019
The FF thanks all of it's wonderful volunteers who brought countless beautiful smiles to the pediatric patients and their families at St. Peter's Hospital and Jersey Shore Hospital on Thanksgiving Day! Led by our very 1st pediatric cancer Warrior Sami Stanley and her sisters Alyssa and Rebecca at SPH, and Joel Bernstein and his family at JSH. Turkeys, hams, fixings, desserts galore, care bears, and gifts galore were donated and compassionately given by our FF troops to the kids and families. Countless smiles were enjoyed by everyone!
Bow Ties and Pearls Gala 2019
The Frances Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to its gala co-chairs Tracy Armstrong, Suzie Healy, Angela Marra, and Keia Rubman along with their families and all gala volunteers on their outstanding efforts for our beautiful 15th gala! THANK YOU!!
MAGGIPALOOZA 2019
THANK YOU to Jr. Trustee Maggi, her entire family and friends, all volunteers, Mr. V and Vonage as host and huge contributors; for this awesome festival in honor and memory of FF Angel Caiti Brown. It brings so many smiles to so many kids. Numerous kids and adults enjoyed the water slide, the Mr. Softee ice cream, the pie eating contest, and so much more!!
Softball Tournmanet and Picnic 2019
The highlight of the day was the presentation of our gifts to our attending angels’ & pediatric cancer warriors families. Hats off to all of our teams, including Vonage, The Rainbow Foundation, Cookies Crumblers, Team Jackson Sharkey, Maggipalooza, Access Integration Systems , the Angels, Union Beach Fire Department, Team Jake-Madi-Gwennie, the Mon. Cty. Sheriff’s Department, Mya/IFF….. Lots of 1 run games decided late including a thriller championship game won by the Champions Team Mya against the Sheriff’s Department 2-1.
