2014 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award Honoree – David Caldarella

Founder of David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation Honored with Jefferson Award   

2014 Jefferson Award Hnoree
2014 Jefferson Award Hnoree

Manahawkin, NJ. Friday, June 9, 2014 – David Caldarella, founder of David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, has been honored with a 2014 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards in the category of Founders/Innovators. The Founders/Innovators category recognizes individuals whose vision and dedication result in the establishment of a new organization to meet unmet needs or new improved means of meeting those needs. Recipients of the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards achieve measurable community impact, perform outstanding acts of public service without the expectation of recognition, serve as inspiration for others, personify dedication to a unique vision, and demonstrate tenacity of heroic proportion. Melanie Magaziner and Corinne Gray Ruff facilitated his nomination for this prestigious award, and David was selected from a pool of over 500 candidates by a panel that included The Community Foundation of New Jersey, The Star Ledger Powering NJ.com and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Volunteerism.

David was thrilled to attend the award ceremony on June 9 with his mother and girlfriend. He was touched, humbled and honored by the magnitude and meaning of the award. “Cancer gave me a purpose in life and David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation is my vehicle,” David said. He also referred to the words of Mother Theresa – “I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” As the driving force behind the Foundation, which has donated in excess of $250,000 to cancer patients in just four years of existence, David has created ripples that have already changed the lives of many families affected by the disease.

The Jefferson Awards were created in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard. It is America’s Highest Honor for Public Service, a Nobel Peace Prize for Public Service. To add to the enormity of the award ceremony, Sam Beard and New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno spoke during the ceremony. Past national winners are a “Who’s Who” of American history makers including Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Barbara Bush, Senator Ted Kennedy, Oprah Winfrey, Peyton Manning and one of David’s favorite NY Yankees Mariano Rivera. In the June 15th Sunday Edition of the Star Ledger a full-page recognized the 2014 Jefferson Award Honorees with the caption “Please join the State of New Jersey, the White House and the United States Senate in congratulating these outstanding individuals for their remarkable volunteer achievements.” The community applauds David as a champion for cancer patients, and as a Jefferson Award recipient.

About David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation
David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds to provide financial assistance and services to families primarily in New Jersey affected by a cancer diagnosis. David Caldarella, founder and Stage IV cancer survivor, established David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation in 2010. The Foundation has committed all of its resources to assisting the community in the fight against cancer, and holds many events throughout the year to raise funds to support this cause. In addition to the Jetty Coquina Jam – an all-female surf contest on LBI where 100% of the proceeds are directed back to local breast cancer patients, DDBCF holds the “Frank V Panzone Jr. Memorial Cruisin’ for a Cure” presented by Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, “Crabbin’ for a Cure” presented by Mud City Crab House and the “Island Gala & Casino Night” presented by the Sea Shell Resort Resort & Beach Club. The foundation also participates in Chowderfest and various other community festivals. To date, the Foundation has donated over $250,000 to families affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Jefferson Award Medal
Jefferson Award Medal

 

Jefferson Award Medal Ceremony
Jefferson Award Medal Ceremony
Jefferson Award Proclamation
Jefferson Award Proclamation

Southern Ocean Medical Center – 2014 Community Health & Wellness Award Recipient!

Please join us Wednesday June 25th at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club for the 24th Annual Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation Invitational Golf and Tennis Outing. All proceeds benefit SOMC. As a new tradition this year, SOMC will be presenting the Community Health & Wellness Award! This award is designed to recognize an individual or an organization who has exhibited an exemplary commitment to the health and wellness of the community by addressing a service or program that brings health, healing or hope to those impacted by a medical condition. We are pleased to announce that David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation is the 2014 recipient!

We want to thank our sponsors, donors, volunteers and most importantly the patients/families battling a cancer diagnosis who inspire us on a daily basis with their courage, grace and love! 

 

SOMCF Invitational Letter

SOMCF Invitational Sponsorship Form

SOMC Golf Outing_6-25-2014

 

Frank V. Panzone Jr Memorial Cruisin for a Cure

Please join us on Sunday May 18th for our 2nd Annual Frank V. Panzone Jr Memorial Cruisin for a Cure. This is the third year for Cruisin for a Cure but we renamed the event last year to honor Frank V. Panzone Jr. Frank was so giving to his community throughout his life and this was on full display even as he battled stage IV cancer. His spirit, determination and courage in the face of indomitable odds are only a couple of the reasons we are so proud to call this event the Frank V. Panzone Jr Memorial Cruisin for a Cure! You do not need to ride a bike or own a classic car to enjoy the party at Joe Pop’s from 12-5. Please see event flier for details. You can download our Auction Agreement, Registration and Sponsorship forms right here or from our main page. Please Like our Facebook page and Click on our event page for this event. Let’s Go Cruisin for a Cure!

Auction Agreement

Registration Form

Sponsorship Form

Event Flier

MAP

Save the Date
Cruisin for a Cure

 

 

 

Cookies & Cocoa for a Cure

We were informed that 7 year old Matthew Compitello from Long Beach Township, NJ wanted a way to help families battling cancer during this holiday season. He created the event “Cookies & Cocoa for a Cure” and wanted to donate the proceeds to David’s dream and Believe Cancer Foundation.  He served hot chocolate and dished out homemade chocolate chip cookies that his mom Amye baked for the event (Delicious!) to anybody that stopped by his Uncle Steve’s store seawall ARTifacts located at 7712 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach Township NJ. Matthew was visited by locals, guests that saw the event on social media and Matthew even received a special visit from Mayor Joe Mancini! Matthew raised a whopping $621.00. Way to go Matthew and Thank You!

 

Matthew with Donations
Matthew with Donations
Matthew Fundraising!
Matthew Fundraising!
Mayor Joe Mancini & Matthew
Mayor Joe Mancini & Matthew
Matthew & David
Matthew & David

A.L.L. For Dawn

David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation and our friends at Scojo’s  Restaurant present the following benefit A.L.L. FOR DAWN.

Scojo’s Restaurant will be donating 100% of the proceeds from both of their locations in Surf City and Tuckerton on Saturday December 7th to the A.L.L. FOR DAWN Benefit Fund which will support Dawn Russo in her fight against cancer.

Please email David Caldarella at david@davidsdreamandbelieve.org or Scott Russo at scojoslbinj@aol.com for more information

 

A.L.L. FOR DAWN BENEFIT
A.L.L. FOR DAWN BENEFIT

 

Cruisin Wrap-up!

The Frank Panzone Jr Memorial Cruisin For A Cure was a resounding success on every level. The dark clouds, rain and winds did not dampen the spirits of our Cruisers led by Jillian Panzone riding with her uncle on the back of her dads bike. It also did not dampen the spirits of an estimated 250 people that attended the party at Surf City Hotel. We have to start by thanking our main event sponsor and friends at Panzone’s Pizza. Joyce, Jillian, Kristin, Todd, John, Sam and the entire staff sponsored, volunteered and gave countless hours trying to make this a special day for everybody and we are proud to say we definitely accomplished that together! We want to thank Mark Cioffi and all the staff at the Surf City Hotel for all their efforts involved with the event and party. We have heard nothing but high compliments from our friends and look forward to confirming a date soon for next year’s party back at the Surf City Hotel. Thank you to Ted Hammock and Jason Booth for keeping the party rocking all afternoon. Thank you to our dear friend Sari McGovern Sprinkles the Clown for always keeping the kids busy. A HUGE thank you to all our sponsors, auction donors and the best volunteers in the world! Most importantly thank you to all our supporters that made this event a huge success. We are putting finishing touches on our totals from this event but we are closing in on an incredible 500% increase from last year’s event! Thank You!!!

 

Cruisin Sponsors
Cruisin Sponsors
Cruisin Logo
Cruisin Logo

 

 

DDBCF President Tim Hall – Fighting Cancer Together!

Some of you know that I have been part of David’s Dream and Believe Foundation (DDBCF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization started by David Caldarella, a dear friend of mine, who battled and beat cancer after his diagnosis just three years ago.  Through the foundation, we provide much needed financial assistance to offset the costs associated with cancer treatments and lost income.  David also provides a personal touch with the dollars given by personally connecting with patients and their families to inspire them to “Dream and Believe” that there is purpose and hope behind all the pain – that the battle is worth fighting will the full force of faith.

Attached is a summary of what DDBCF accomplished in 2012.  On top if this, we have already helped 45 families in 2013.  DDBCF is rooted in New Jersey on the coast; consequently, many of the families recently helped were dealing with both cancer diagnosis and the impact of hurricane Sandy on their homes.  Here in Kentucky, we have been raising funds since the inception of the foundation and we have assisted 3 cancer patients in the Lexington area who fell on hard financial times.

To raise funds in KY again this year, I am asking that you join me in a challenge.  I am going to run the Derby Festival Marathon (26.2 miles) on April 27, 2013.  This race is special to both David and me as we ran the half marathon together prior to David’s diagnosis, and again last year as David’s first race since his recovery.  The challenge for me this year is twofold:  1) go 26.2 miles as opposed to 13.1, and 2) achieve a time that qualifies for the Boston Marathon – better thaan 3hrs 25min.  I am asking that you join in the challenge and make a tax deductible donation to David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation (checks payable to DDBCF and mailed to my attention at 3124 Blenheim Way, Lexington, KY 40503).  If you are unsure of an amount to contribute, please consider aligning a contribution with part “1” of the challenge, $26.20 for the 26.2 miles.  If you want to join in on part “2” of my challenge, I suggest you consider doubling that amount and make it $52.40.  Of course, if you want to take it to the third level and give more, well . . .  you win!  I make no commitments beyond the two noted above – part “2” is going to be a very big stretch!

Please join me in this challenge to “Fight Cancer Together” – http://www.davidsdreamandbelieve.org/

 

Sincerely,

Tim Hall

 

Cancer Strikes Out at Bowler City in Hackensack, NJ!

We Struck Out Cancer last night because of the generosity of so many starting with our main event sponsor Bergen Risk Managers. and close family friends the Cosimano family. The event was dedicated to Mr. Frank Cosimano and the family has asked me to donate the proceeds directly to patients/families in Mr. Cosimano’s name and that’s exactly what we will start doing today. I realized I had my bowling shoes still on when I stopped at a rest stop around 1:30am on my way home. It was a great night seeing so many old/new friends and the support was off the charts. I/We cannot begin to express our sincere gratitude to all of our family, friends and sponsors. Please feel free to email me or post pictures from the event. THANK YOU! 

 

Strike Out Cancer