EDSAF (Emerson Disabled Student Athlete Foundation)

EDSAF is dedicated to providing assistance to persons residing in the Borough of Emerson, Bergen County, New Jersey, who are attending or who attended a primary or secondary school in Emerson when such person became disabled and who now has a long term or permanent disability. The trustees of EDSAF will evaluate any request for benefits upon the submission of an application in light of the applicant’s perceived need and expected benefit of receiving the grant, taking into account EDSAF’s overall financial abilities and the expected number of applicants
In the summer of 2003, one of Emerson’s students was spending a day at the beach in Belmar, New Jersey. The young lady dove into the surf, hitting an unexpected sandbar with enough force to shatter one vertebra in her neck and fracture three others. This accident has left her paralyzed with limited use of her arms and hands and no movement in her fingers or legs, wheelchair bound for the rest of her life! Going into her senior year, she was the catcher and clean-up hitter on the high school softball team, never to play again. Concerned coaches, players, teachers, administrators, and people of the community banded together to form a non-profit, tax free charitable organization to help and support her and any other Emerson student in a similar predicament.
 

Samantha Rose Reverand Foundation

Samantha Rose Reverand passed away August 21, 2002 at the age of 9.  Samantha was an excellent athlete, a hard working student & a loving daughter.  In her memory, her family established The Samantha Rose Reverand Foundation. This foundation was set up to be a Sports/Arts/Academic based college scholarship award. The first awards will be given to the graduating class of 2011. All moneys donated to the fund will be awarded as college scholarships. The Samantha Rose Reverand Foundation would like to thank all involved for making this a successful program.
To make donations directly to the foundation, please mail them to:
The Samantha Rose Reverand Foundation
145 Woodland Rd.
Demarest, NJ 07627
 

PC Project - Philip Mazzo Sr. Scholarship Fund

Pachyonychia Congenita (PC) Project provides research funding, hosts symposiums, sponsors a PC registry, fosters a PC community including annual patient meetings, supports genetic testing and takes all other active steps toward successfully developing and delivering therapeutics to PC patients worldwide.

Pachyonychia Congenita (PC) is a rare, incurable genetic disorder that primarily affects the skin, nails, and mouth. This disorder does not affect lifespan, but patients do experience constant pain. There are at least two Bergen County Athletes / former Athletes who suffer from this disease.

The Philip Mazzo Sr. Scholarship fund was established to provide travel assistance for families to attend PC Patient Support Meetings Worldwide. Mr. Mazzo was a constant supporter and attendee of athletic events throughout Bergen County up until his sudden, unexpected death in 2006.

Friends of Philip Apreda Foundation

The Friends of Philip Apreda Foundation is a charity put together for Phil's family. Most importantly, our goal is to help his His children with their future education.  The foundation is a group of Phil's childhood friends and teammates from Teaneck High School.  With Phil's help, we formed a brotherhood, and that bond is stronger than life or death.  Our goal is to raise enough money to ensure that Phil's children, our extended family, are able to continue their education as Phil would have wanted.
In life, Phil touched many poeple.  With his passing, it is our time to continue the work that he started.
--The Friends of Philip Apreda
 

The Chip Ryen Fund

Richard “Chip” Ryen served with the Oradell Volunteer Fire Department for 19 years. Serving as both Fire Chief and as Department President. As a volunteer firefighter, Chip has dedicated countless hours to the protection of our community.

For much of 2006 and 2007, Chip fought cancer and was even able to return to firefighting duties for a brief period. However, he returned to the hospital early Christmas morning and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

After 2 years of treatment, Richard “Chip” Ryen, succumbed to cancer at the age of 45. Chip has served with the Oradell Volunteer Fire Department for nearly two decades.

The Chip Ryen Fund was founded by the Reformed Church of Oradell and the Oradell Volunteer Fire Department to help the Ryen family overcome the tremendous obstacle of debt that was incurred during Chip's illness and to help provide for the future of Chip's family.

To give to this fund directly, please make all checks or money orders payable to The Reformed Church of Oradell and be sure to write Benevolent Fund Richard Ryen - Memorial Benefit on the memo line of your check.

Please send check or money order to:
The Ryen Fund
c/o The Reformed Church of Oradell
641 Church Street
Oradell, NJ 07649

CJ Personette Fund

On Labor Day weekend 2007, 14-year-old CJ Personette of Woodcliff Lake was involved in an accident with a car while riding his bicycle. He suffered head trauma and multiple broken bones.

CJ’s healing is miraculous since he wasn’t breathing and his jaws were smashed in from a 40 mph impact and in coma for many months.   His right arm and leg were paralyzed and the neurologist removed a softball sized piece of skull to relieve the pressure.   When CJ left Hackensack in late October 07 to go to Children’s hospital, PICU doctors didn’t expect much progress but Mom told the staff that one day CJ would return and would walk thru the PICU.
 
That day came on 12.31.08.  And the day before CJ had major head surgery to replace the piece of skull that saved his life. Regression occurs and there are setbacks lasting weeks or more.  When CJ awoke after surgery he smiled and said "Hi Mom, Hi Dad".   CJ's face and eyes was totally clear and he had a big smile.   And his head was round again which CJ loved.  The next day Mom got CJ's cane and walked him past the PICU nurses station. 
 
CJ has been going to Pascack Hills since late September 08 where he takes English, biology and art.  He received two A’s and B+.  After the break, CJ will be attending full time.

To make a donation directly to the fund, send checks payable to: CJ Personette Fund, to 51 Lincoln Blvd., Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677.