Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • June 20, 2012 Our hat’s off to Carolyn Edwards from Ramsey, one of our volunteers who hosted a jewelry party and collected food for our pantry. Thank you! Meet Aaron: Aaron was diagnosed with eye cancer when he was just a year old. He lost his right eye shortly after that. Now Aaron is 10 and he cannot see very well out of his left eye because of a cataract. He lives with his mom, who, over the years, has constantly struggled trying to find jobs that pay enough money provide care for her son. They have moved about six times since they have been known to ECF. Mom and Aaron just took a room in someone else’s apartment because that is all they can afford. Aaron needs new glasses to help him salvage the little eyesight he has left. This family is also in need of furniture for their home. Neither of them has a bed or a dresser for their clothing. When you ask Aaron’s mom if she has any regrets having to live this way, she says, “I will do anything to make sure Aaron is being taken care of.” Specific needs are gift cards to Target or Walmart for furniture, and Burlington Coat Factory for clothing. The family could really benefit from a gift card to Optical World for Aaron’s glasses. Summer needs: We need window air conditioning units, new or in good working condition, for our families. We also need boys’ summer clothing in size 7/8 and XL, and shoes in size 7. Some of our families could use prepaid phone cards for Cricket Mobile. We are looking for gift cards to TJ Maxx and Marshalls. We will give these to our families so they can buy summer clothing. In addition, we can use gas gift cards. We are still looking for a replacement CPU for Martha’s family. (They have a monitor and keyboard.) ECF 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. 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 case worker to visit the families at home or in the hospital. Kids can 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. ECF representatives are available to discuss our programs at your next fundraiser or event. Give us a call for more information. If you have a few hours a week to spare, consider becoming a volunteer, or just stop by and meet with us, take a look at our pantry, and see what ECF is all about. Call (201) 612-8118 before you stop by. Please do not leave items at the center without checking with us first. Our storage space is limited. The Northern Regional Center is located at 174 Paterson Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Visit us at www.emmanuelcancer.org. As always, thank you for helping the children and their families! The Madison Dog Resort & Spa in Waldwick recently held a grand opening ribbon cutting. The owners of The Madison, Victor and Gina Abdy, along with Victor’s proud parents, Victor and Patricia Abdy of Franklin Lakes, were joined by Waldwick Mayor Thomas Giordano and Chamber of Commerce President Christine Figliuolo. The Madison Dog Resort & Spa is a one-stop shop for pet parents. The 7,200 square foot facility features a boutique, cageless grooming, three play areas for doggie day care, and nearly two dozen private suites for overnights. Located at 150 Franklin Turnpike in Waldwick, The Madison has raised the bar for pet care and boarding. Visit www.themadisondogresort.com for more information. Pictured: Mayor Giordano, Christine Figliuolo, Gina Abdy and Victor Abdy, Patricia Abdy and Victor Abdy Sr. New neighbor