Dare to Care in the Media
Daily Record: Mendham boy with leukemia gets support from community
Ten-year-old Doyle Hagany liked nothing better than practicing and playing with the Twin Boro Bears, the Super Pee Wee football program of Mendham and Chester boroughs.
But now he can't play. He was diagosed a month ago with leukemia so instead of spending time on the field, he's spending time at Morristown Memorial Hospital, getting chemotherapy treatments.
His teammates are among many in the community who have come together to help the Mendham boy and his family.
Dare to Care, a nonprofit Christian foundation, has arranged two upcoming fundraisers to help the boy's family treat and cope with the life-threatening disease.
CBS News: NJ Community Rallies Around Leukemia-Stricken Boy
Super Pee Wee Football Teammates, Parents Sell Bracelets, Schedule Walk To Raise Money For Doyle Hagany
A little boy is facing a very grown-up battle. He's fighting potentially life-threatening leukemia.
But the community is rallying around him, providing support. And as CBS 2 HD found out it really does take a village.
Doyle Hagany is a typical 10-year-old. He loves playing video games and hanging out with his friends. But this fifth grader with a huge smile and big heart is fighting the toughest battle of his life -- cancer.
Dare to Care group spreads holiday cheer to Morris kids
From left to right: Audrey Yun, Sharon & John Lee w/ Elizabeth, James Orthmann w/ Justin, Jennifer & Andrew Ladas w/ Athan, Zac, & Luke, David & Cristina Yun w/ Emily, Jim Petrucci
Members invite 80 children to Christmas party in Mendham Twp.
VANESSA VERA • DAILY RECORD • DECEMBER 21, 2008
MENDHAM TWP. -- Morris County children in need received Christmas gifts on Saturday at a Christmas party hosted by the local charity group Dare to Care Alliance for Children.
The party at the Brookside Community Club was held for 80 children ages 3 to 9. In total, however, the organization provided Christmas gifts and clothing to 271 area children, co-founder Jim Petrucci said.
Saturday's Christmas party was the first event of its kind that Dare to Care, a relatively new Christian-based nonprofit, has sponsored.
About 50 youth and adult volunteers gave their time at the party, where a hot lunch buffet was provided to the guests, along with live music and photos with Santa Claus.
Families were also able to take items from tables of donated used children's clothing.
A wish list
Petrucci, 49, of Mendham, who founded Dare to Care with John Lee of Millington and David Yun of Clinton, said he contacted the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance to inquire about families who might not be able to get their children toys for Christmas.
Each child then filled out a wish list, and in just a few short days, Petrucci said 271 children had their Christmas lists sponsored by Dare to Care volunteers.Children who attended the party who were not on Dare to Care's original list, however, also got presents on Saturday.
Among volunteers at Saturday's party were members of the Twin Boro Bears Clinic Red youth football team. Team volunteers helped sponsor the Christmas party and gave their time to set up, clean up and "just help the families feel at home," Dare to Care co-founder Lee, 39, said.
"It's good to see the kids come out here," Lee said.
Javier Hernandez, 33, of Morristown, attended the event with family members, including his wife and two daughters.
As an immigrant family it was nice to come to the event and not feel alienated, Hernandez said. "I really feel comfortable here ... we had a good time here, an excellent time."
As a father and a Christian, Hernandez said it felt good to bring his children to the party, and said he liked that through the event his children were able to know the true meaning of Christmas -- the birth of Christ.
Dover resident Emily Espada, 28, and her 7-year-old son, Elias Giron, were also invited to the party.
Espada is a divorced mother who has been raising her son on her own since he was a year old.
"You can't give your kids a gift every year, because of the economy," she said."But I feel very honored that they have done this ... I'm full of pride today. This year, they have helped me."
Vanessa Vera can be reached at (973) 428-6574 or vvera@gannett.com.