By Dana Klosner-Wehner
It was all part of the Kids Helping Kids Halloween Carnival for Have A Heart Children’s Cancer Society held at the Plattdeutche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square last Wednesday night. Franklin Square residents Krista Testani and Patrice Maresca-Sehne coordinated the event.
“I wanted to do something that would inspire children to get involved,” said Testani, who started the ball rolling by contacting Have A Heart Children’s Cancer Society based in Huntington and offering to do a fundraiser for them. “I was inspired by the idea of doing charity for children that was locally based. I wanted kids to be active and think about kids that are less fortunate, whatever the reason.”
The event raised $6,000 for the charity, which helps families who have a child that has been diagnosed with cancer.
“We began about eight years ago when we realized that there weren’t a lot of non-profit charities to help families that have children fighting cancer,” said Peggy Harold, the organization’s executive director. “All funds go directly to assist the families with medical bills, household expenses, rent, mortgage, electric bills, whatever it takes to help.”
“Times are tough for everyone, but they are even tougher for those families with a child diagnosed with cancer,” said Roxanne Damion, director of business development. “Many times, mom or dad has to quit work to stay home with the child.”
Tony Capriola, who had a 16-year-old niece who died of cancer, founded the organization. “We have helped hundreds of families,” Capriola said, adding that most are on Long Island but also some from New Jersey and Connecticut.
The charity recognizes families by working with medical centers including Schneider’s Children’s Hospital, Stony Brook University Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering, Capriola said.
The event came together with the help of the community. Maresca-Sehne, a member of Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce, said that Testani came to a meeting to promote the event. That is how the two met and decided to work together in planning the fundraiser.
“All the businesses converged [to help out],” said Maresca-Sehne, onwer of My Comfy Pet. “The Franklin Square community is wonderful and is filled with very special people.”
Girl Scouts from Willow Road elementary school, students from Sewanhaka High School, and members of the Molloy College dance team were all on hand to volunteer and help run the games. The dance team also performed a number.
“I have a friend who had cancer,” said Nathalie Moreno, 16, an 11th grader at H. Frank Carey High School. “He just got done with chemo. He’s doing well now. It’s a good cause.”
Moreno also volunteers at Long Island Jewish Hospital.
“I wanted to volunteer because I feel really bad for the kids,” said 10-year-old Olivia Darienzo, a Girl Scout and fifth grader at Willow Road elementary school who was helping to run the bean bag toss. “I think it’s a good way to get people together for a good cause.”
“It’s a good cause and I like working with kids,” said Stephanie Iacona, 16, an 11th-grader at Sewanhaka High School. She also volunteers at her church and helps her dad out with Little League.
And, of course, the event wouldn’t be the same without the time and door prizes donated by Franklin Square businesses.
CB Sounds donated four hours of disc jockey time. Franklin Square Car Spa donated a flat screen television, the Little League and the Warriors football league donated money to buy the boy’s and girl’s bicycles, the Kiwanis Club donated $500, the UPS store donated a $250 gift basket, The Hair Company donated a $150 gift basket and the list goes on. “Most of the businesses in the chamber came on board,” Maresca-Sehne said.
But for the kids it was all about the fun.
“I like the games,” said 5-year-old Alyssa Ramos, dressed as Cinderella, who herself is a cancer survivor. “I won lots of teddy bears and my brother won an Elmo.”
