Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • April 4, 2012 Meet Andy: Andy is a vivacious 23-month-old toddler who was diagnosed in January with nasopharyangyl rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare malignant tumor that invades the nasal cavity. His mother realized something was wrong when Andy continued to collide with furniture and walls when he was learning to walk. She suspected Andy might be blind. After numerous exams and biopsies in the hospital, doctors concluded that Andy had a malignant tumor. Since he was born with hydrocephalus, his mother was accustomed to numerous hospital and doctor visits, but she never anticipated that a detrimental and aggressive cancer would affect her son. “When I heard the word cancer, my world absolutely fell apart,” said Mom, who has stayed by Andy’s side throughout his treatment. Andy is currently receiving chemotherapy and a specialized radiation. The family is currently in financial distress since they can no longer rely on two incomes. Andy also has a threeyear-old sister who has suffered emotional distress due to the absence of her mother. The family is having trouble purchasing groceries, paying utility bills, and obtaining a push walker for Andy, which would help him develop mobility. You can help us provide assistance to Andy’s family with your donations. ECF, which was named for a little boy named Emmanuel who lost his battle with cancer nearly 30 years ago, uses monetary contributions to cover the costs associated with providing free services to any New Jersey child who has cancer. Approximately 70 cents from every dollar goes toward direct care for our families. If your company has a charitable giving program, please let us know. Each month, we distribute about 140 bags of food to our families. You can help us fill our pantry. When you go grocery shopping and something non-perishable is on sale, please grab some extra items and drop them off at our outreach center. Our families appreciate your efforts. Staples such as sugar, flour, salt, cooking oil, detergent, pancake mix/syrup, and rice are always needed. You can help in a variety of ways. Consider turning your next event into a fundraiser for ECF, and ask guests to bring checks or gift cards to be used by our families. Your efforts help us to help our families in many ways, including sending a caseworker to visit the families at home or in the hospital. This support for the kids, their siblings, and parents is crucial. Kids are welcome to help, too. Many have held sales or other events and contributed the proceeds to ECF. If your Boy Scout or Girl Scout Troop needs to earn badges, visit us in Midland Park. Scouts can get creative and have fun helping our families as they learn about philanthropy. On May 14, ECF will be the beneficiary of Blue Moon Mexican Restaurant’s Community Day. Come to Boulder Run Shopping Center in Wyckoff to eat any time from 11:30 a.m. through 9 p.m. that day, and Blue Moon will (continued on page 14) Our hat’s off to: Grace Church Nursery School for the Peanut Butter & Jelly Food Drive and to the Midland Park Girl Scouts for the Food Drive. We are giving a big shout out to Hannah and Grace Velarde, fifth graders at Most Blessed Sacrament and members of Girl Scout Troop 1202. When the Velardes’ grandparents were celebrating their 50th Anniversary, the girls had a great idea. They decided to ask guests at the anniversary celebration to make a donation to ECF in honor of their grandparents. We are so proud of the girls. They are amazing and thoughtful young ladies. See ECF’s Facebook page for pictures. Festival Day planning The Festival Day/Car Show 2012 Committee of the Allendale Chamber of Commerce has begun plans for the 20th celebration of the popular event, scheduled this year for Saturday, Oct. 6. Pictured above at a recent meeting at the Allendale Bar & Grill are, from left, seated: Bill Ford of Bank of America, Joe Blondin of the Allendale Ambulance Corps, chamber President Nickie Lisella of Terrie O’Connor Realtors; Lisa Kain of Town Journal. Standing: Erik Zerrenaer of Premier Home Inspection Services, Ester Vierheilig of Villadom Times, Adrienne and Ashley Tenbekjian of Jumbleiah, former Festival Day Chairman Dan Zettler of Barnstable Mortgage Group, former Festival Day Chairman Jill Lewis, Mary Stampleman of Allendale Community for Mature Living, this year’s Diamond Sponsor; and Joe Chinichi of TD Bank. Blondin will chair the event this year, assisted by strong sub-committees . Vendors, crafters, vintage cars and entertainment are now being sought. Contact Adrienne at 201-327-8411 or check the chamber website www.allendalechamber.com.