Welcome to the
South Jersey Cancer Fund
Website!
Founded in 1964, we are an all volunteer organization from the local community which raises funds to provide financial assistance for cancer patients and their families in Atlantic, Cape May & Cumberland Counties.
We have no paid employees. Every job is on a volunteer-basis. In 2010 we helped 219 patients and spent over $173,000 for their needs. In 2011 we helped 303 patients and spent over $177,000. This is by far the largest number of patients and money spent in our 46 year history.
South Jersey Cancer Fund is a totally independent Charity and we are not affiliated with the American Cancer Society or any other charity.
South Jersey Cancer Fund is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore any contributions made to our organization are TAX DEDUCTABLE.
KIDS FOR SOUTH JERSEY CANCER FUND
The Kids for South Jersey Cancer Fund group was founded in April 2008 when Joseph Mandes, then a 13-year-old middle school student in Brigantine, madea call to Joe McNally after his mom read an article in a local paper about the S.J.C.F. freezing services at that time and being in great need of help. She brought it to her son's attention who said he wanted to do something to help. (The family was just dealing with the sudden death of Joseph Mandes, Sr., Joseph's Poppy, who the family thought may have died of a disease with a cancer basis. They were also helping Joseph's Mimi who was diagnosed with cancer.)
Joseph asked President Joe McNally if it would be O.K. if he formed a youth group called, Kids for S.J.C.F. Joe's idea was to just get a few friends together to help raise funds for the cause. His twin brother Michael was his right-hand man with the project. (Joe McNally was confident in the boys' ability to fund raise as they had been well-known in the town for raising thousands of dollars in a short time period for Pediatric Cancer Research by forming "Brigantine's Own Alex's Lemonade Stand").
President Joe McNally, gave his blessing and just a about 2 1/2 years later, the group has raised over $12,000 for the cause! The Kids for S.J.C.F. believe that most people can say they have someone in their lives who has been touched by cancer. They believe that people want to help but may not know how.
It is the youth group's goal not only to raise funds for the cause, but to bring attention to the work of this very important organization, the South Jersey Cancer Fund, and their need for community support in the form of donations and adult volunteers.
The youth group shadows the adult group and has set a lofty goal of raising $25,000 for the cause by 2014. To raise these funds, they've connected with our local Elks Lodge for numerous events; participated in the Stephanie Burke Beach Run; planned and led carnival events and games in our area; encouraged high school service clubs to help the cause; encouraged businesses in our region to do dress-down days for their employees for the cause; encouraged friends and family to choose the S.J.C.F. as "their cause" on Goodshop.com; and inspired local school districts to sign on to do dress down days for the cause. The school district campaign which was the brainchild of Michael Mandes, has been quite a success.
The Mandes Boys created an online fundraising page for the cause at www.firstgiving.com/brigantine and a Facebook Page for the youth group. They have led representatives from their youth group which is now about 50 members strong, to create informational video clips for the school district campaigns and on YouTube to get the word out about the South Jersey Cancer Fund.
One of the youth group's mottos is: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead This youth group is on its way to doing just that!"
For additional information about the "Kids for South Jersey Cancer Fund"
Phone ~ Contact Joseph or Michael Mandes at 609-266-4119
Please visit their Fund Raising Web site at ~ http://www.firstgiving.com/brigantine
Adult Facilitator of K.S.J.C.F. ~ Julie Mandes
Email Address:
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