Boardwalk Fun Day!

Boardwalk Fun Day
Boardwalk Fun Day

 

We want to thank American Cancer Society of NY/NJ for entrusting Boardwalk Fun Day with David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation. We readily accepted the invitation to take over this event for families battling a cancer diagnosis. We want to thank the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District for making the event possible & Seaside Heights Boardwalk businesses that participated in the event.

We were so excited going into this event and our excitement was only confirmed when the first few families showed up to check-in. The kids had a sparkle in their eyes and the parents repeatedly told us that their families looked forward to this event every single year. For some, they attended Boardwalk Fun Day for almost 10 years and others it was their first time but the joy was present in each and every family.

David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation and Generation Dream are already looking forward to next year’s Boardwalk Fun Day!

 

Generation Dream

We were excited to hear that a small group from our youth group Generation Dream were busy last night hand-painting sea shells so they could accept donations today on behalf of David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation. Cuade, Collin and Cuinnie shown in the picture below were busy outside of Peal Street Market in Beach Haven, NJ today raising awareness and donations to help our families battling a cancer diagnosis. Please keep an eye and ear out for our Generation Dream group which was created by one of our newest directors Kimberly Manzella! These kids are dedicated to Making A Difference in our community and world!

Generation Dream (Cuade, Collin & Cuinnie)
Generation Dream (Cuade, Collin & Cuinnie)

2nd Annual Island Gala & Casino Night Wrap-Up

THANK YOU!

The “Cards,” “Stars” and “Positive Vibes” were with us at this year’s 2nd Annual Island Gala & Casino Night presented by our friends at the Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club in Beach Haven Friday August 8th!

Our Host & Main Event Sponsor Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club need to be commended for another incredible evening. A special thanks to Tom Hughes, Jaimee Boyle and Brittany Hughes for their support for David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation (DD&BCF) during not only our Island Gala & Casino Night but for their continued support throughout the year! Thank you to the awesome staff for making everybody feel comfortable and setting the positive tone for the entire evening. It’s not a surprise to let our supporters know we are already ironing out plans and date for next year’s 3rd installment of our Island Gala & Casino Night presented by Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club!

Thank you to our executive committee, planning committee and volunteers that work tirelessly to ensure a good time is had by all. A special thanks to Kim Manzella, Melanie Magaziner, Paula Sari and Danielle Russo Slugh. Congratulations to Melanie & Eric Magaziner for being honored with our 1st Annual Dream & Believe Humanitarian of the Year! An extra special thanks to Danielle and her husband Marc for their support over the past few years but most of all thanks for the enduring friendship and Good Luck on your next adventure! Thank you to our planning committee & volunteers: Kelly Powers, Kevin Price, Cathy Deely, Jeremy DeFilippis, Jeanne Arington, Jen Larkin, Tara Wallerstein, Caryn Hill, Genny Clausig, Janet Brown, Karen Salvo, Denice Miller, Joyce DeGregorio & Shannon Rabbit.  Thank you to our good friend and amazing photographer Michael John Murphy.  Thank you Christine Howard and her local flower company Lily in the Valley Florist for the absolutely beautiful flower arrangements. Thank you to our house band Spare Tire and to our incredible Emcee/DJ for the evening Mike Thompson! There’s a reason we are constantly praising our Volunteers – Our Volunteers are Simply the Best!

Thank you to our amazing Sponsors:

National Pipe Hanger Corp. Mr. & Mrs. McCabe, Reynolds Garden Shop & Landscaping, Kristen & Anthony Martinelli, Bergen Risk Managers, Inc., Southern Ocean Medical Center, Thomas V. Massa DMD & Associates, HEALTHINTHEFUTURE, Lou’s Electric, D. Finelli Construction, Apgar Family, Shannon Keyes DMD, Schwee Tea Co., 777Tattoos.com & Van Dyk Group.

Thank you to our Gaming Table Sponsors and Auction Sponsors.  We make an effort to use local auction items from the extremely talented & creative individuals in our community as a way of spotlighting there genius whether it be pictures, handcrafted jewelry, amazing restaurants etc. Please visit our sponsors and auction donors that make it possible for DD&BCF to continue our mission on a daily basis!

This was a very special & successful evening but it would not be possible without the support from everybody listed above and so many others not listed above including our supporters that continue to attend our events. We value your commitment to the Foundation and we appreciate your dedication to our mission of helping those families battling a cancer diagnosis! We do not take this support for granted and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

 See you next year for the 3rd Annual Island Gala & Casino Night!

Summer Concert & Ice Cream for a Cause presented by Black-eyed Susans

Please visit our friends in the Black-eyed Susans Ice Cream Truck at tomorrow night’s summer concert with “Verdict” in Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars at 7pm and Monday night’s summer concert with “No Discipline” on 9th & 10th Street on the Bay at 7pm.

50% of the proceeds will be donated directly to local 19 month old Elena Michelle! Thank you Ashley & Chris!!!

Black-eyed Susans Summer Concert & Ice Cream for a Cause
Black-eyed Susans
Summer Concert & Ice Cream for a Cause

 

6th Annual Jetty Coquina Jam Wrap-Up

It’s obvious that Mother Nature and David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation (DD&BCF) need to have a sit-down to iron out our differences. However the rain, wind, flooding and rough ocean didn’t stop the positive vibes emanating from the 6th Annual Jetty Coquina Jam yesterday! We had an amazing turnout and cannot thank everybody enough for their support!

A few special thanks need to be handed out and it has to start with Chief Executive Officer from Jetty Jeremy DeFilippis. Jeremy has been linked to DD&BCF from day one and Jeremy served on the Board of Directors for 3+ years. His tireless efforts on the Coquina Jam are geared towards not only running a surf contest on LBI that spotlights incredibly talented female surfers and local businesses but also raises money for a Foundation near and dear to his heart that directs the donations back to local breast cancer patients in need. We thank Jeremy and the entire Jetty ownership team for being committed to our partnership in the Coquina Jam. We look forward to many years working together for the benefit of our local breast cancer patients!

Dani Corso, Mike Eiche and the Jetty Interns deserve special thanks as well. Dani handled doubly duty for managing tasks including social media, email blasts, marketing, sponsors and various other aspects for this event for both Jetty and DD&BCF. Her commitment and dedication to both organizations are a credit to her unfailing Pay it Forward Spirit! Many of you may not know the name Mike Eiche from Jetty but you should – Eiche is the guy always behind the scenes getting the job done. Whether its printing hurricane sandy relief shirts for 16 hours a day or setting up/breaking down Coquina Jam – Eiche will always be there getting the job done! Thanks to the Jetty Interns for braving the elements and supporting the cause.  Thank you to Super Volunteer Matt Mancini for braving the elements from start to finish!

Thanks to Jon Coen for handling the mic duties all day long in very difficult conditions. I know we all look forward to hearing Jon narrate the Coquina Jam Event each year! Thank you to our Judges and support staff that manages the event for us! A special thanks to Randy Budd & Bill Machotka! We want to thank Mark Keeler from MK Productions for giving us sound all day.

Thanks to our amazing Sponsors and Beach Vendors! We have to mention those beach vendors that braved the weather yesterday: Liquid Bliss Yoga/Eden Eco, Farias Surf & Sport, Rodeo Bird, Living on the Veg, El Swell, Black Whale, Naked Juice and Red Bull!

Thank you to the Amazing and Incredibly Talented Female Surfers that came from as far as Costa Rica and as close as our event home in Beach Haven, NJ to participate in our 6th Annual Jetty Coquina Jam. These women hold a special place in our hearts because they represent the beautiful fighting spirit of our female patients battling a breast cancer diagnosis!

A special thanks to our Generation Dream Team that manned the DD&BCF tent today selling pretzels, water and Generation Dream shirts! Thanks to our director Kim Manzella for managing the tent for us today with Generation Dream. Thank you to Brie Fagan for bringing some of her beautiful handmade jewelry and flower crowns from her company The Wandering Gypsea to sell under our tent!

Last but certainly not least, A Very Special Thanks to our Supporters who continue to amaze us on a daily basis! You battled floods, traffic, rain, and chilly temps – all for the benefit of our local families battling a breast cancer diagnosis. Our patients currently fighting this horrible disease and those we have lost give us our daily inspiration. Our supporters give us the fuel to continue our mission.

Thank you to everybody that participated in the 6th Annual Jetty Coquina Jam from all of us at David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation! See you next year!