Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • December 10, 2014 Thanks to everyone who donated Thanksgiving food and baskets. We wish you could have seen the joy on the faces of the families as they received them! One mom wrote, “Thank you so much for my gift cards, Thanksgiv- ing basket, and gifts. We appreciate it!” Our holiday deliveries will start to go out in mid- December. Consider donating a holiday in a box for our families. This could include: stuffing mix, gravy, bread or muffin mix, cranberry sauce, canned corn or beans, canned pumpkin, organic broth, coffee, tea, healthy des- serts, and even a tablecloth and festive paper goods. Our deadline is Dec. 19. We currently need someone who can commit to driv- ing to Newark once a month for a year. Please call (201) 612-8118 for details. ECF families can really use gift cards to Walmart, Target, gas stations, and clothing stores such as Kohl’s, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Game Stop, iTunes, and Toys R Us. We accept new toys, sheets, and towels, and gently-used DVDs, books, small kitchen appliances (such as a small TV or toaster oven), and electronic equipment such as Nintendo DS games. We also welcome donations of “Joy Jars,” which con- tain small, fun activities to occupy a child or teen during a hospital stay. Birthday Bags are also distributed to our kids and their siblings, and include cake mix, frost- ing, candles, wrapping paper, party hats, balloons, paper goods, and a small gift card. A toiletry basket filled with personal care items such as shampoo and toothpaste, or new mittens, hats, and scarves are also needed during the winter months. Meet Carlos: Carlos is an eight-year-old boy whose bright smile and dimples immediately warm your heart. This summer, Carlos was experiencing severe pain in his right leg, which eventually caused his parents to take him to the emergency room. They never imagined their son would be diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (a form of bone cancer) with possible metastasis to his lungs. The prognosis for Carlos is suspended, but is typically quite poor due to many complications, and we are waiting to see how the cancer reacts to treatment and surgical interven- tions. Carlos spent his Thanksgiving in the hospital, which caused great distress to his mother, father, and two broth- ers. He cannot be visited by his brothers due to his com- promised immune system. His two-year-old brother cries for him often and because of his young age is having dif- ficulty understanding why both his brother, who is his buddy and playmate, and his mother are “away.” Imagine what joy the family would have at this awful and difficult time if they were able to have access to tech- nology that would allow them to Skype or FaceTime in order to maintain connection. Either a laptop, iPad, iPod, or a tablet, would lift the heavy burden of distance and isolation. The mother would love to be able to get the chil- dren gifts for Christmas. Gift cards to Target or Walmart would be greatly appreciated. When Carlos can finally go home, gift cards to the gro- cery store (Shop Rite and Stop & Shop) would be a huge help to this family. Any fun crafts, books, or activities for Carlos to occupy his time while bed bound would be helpful. Even a blanket and something to keep his mom comfortable while she spends countless evenings sleeping in the hospital chair next to her son would be a kind and thoughtful gesture. ECF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a variety of specialized services, at no charge, to any New Jersey family facing the challenges of caring for a child with cancer. ECF provides professional counsel- ing, material goods (such as household items, toys, and monthly grocery deliveries), and emergency financial assistance. These individually tailored services are criti- cal in helping families get through the crisis of pediatric cancer. ECF does not receive government funding, so the com- munity’s financial support, donations, and volunteer time are essential. Please call the Northern Regional Center at (201) 612-8118 or e-mail Laura at laura@emmanuelcancer. org to see how you can help. We are in need of paper goods and non-toxic clean- ing supplies for our families. Examples are toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, laundry detergent and all cleaning supplies. We also need diapers stages 4, 5 and 6. Many of our children need to be in a sterile environment while their immunity builds. Thank you to all who have already brought us these supplies. We are planning our Fifth Annual Bash for March 6, 2015 at the Brick House in Wyckoff. Proceeds will help us provide counseling and financial aid to families in New Jersey. Would your company be interested in a sponsor- ship? Would you like to volunteer? If you have a few hours a week to spare, consider becoming a volunteer or just stop by and see what ECF is all about. The Northern Regional Center is located at 174 Paterson Avenue in Midland Park. Please call (201) 612-8118 before you stop by. Because storage space is lim- ited, please do not leave items at the center without check- ing with us first. For more information, visit us at www. emmanuelcancer.org or “like” us on Facebook: Emmanu- elCancerFoundation. As always, thank you for helping the children and their families! Franklin Lakes earns AAA award At a recent AAA North Jersey Community Traffic Safety Luncheon, the Franklin Lakes Police Department was presented with an AAA Outstanding Achievement Award. The award is presented to communities for their exceptional traffic safety program activities. The Franklin Lakes Police Department conducts roving Driving While Intoxicated patrols and combats aggressive driving and other dangerous traffic offenses through enforcement and education activities in the community. The police department also participates in the Safety Town program for young children. Pictured are Franklin Lakes Police Chief Dean Pezzuti, Franklin Lakes Council President Paulette Ramsey, AAA North Jersey President Rose Kruse, and Franklin Lakes Police Officer Denny Knubel.