Community Involvement
I have been involved with numerous community organizations and events over the years, but in 2006 I decided to get involved on a whole new level.
I was first introduced to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation when my niece was diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes 6 years ago. Since then, I have wanted to do something significant to help find a cure. I spoke with a good friend whose son has type 1 diabetes and has been involved with the JDRF for years. Together, we decided that a golf and tennis outing would be a great way for us to get our friends and community involved in the effort. Since our local chapter of the JDRF already had a golf outing planned, we decided to create and organize our own event.
Before we knew it, we had a committee of over 55 dedicated volunteers, ready to create a memorable event. It started with phone calls, letters and emails and within weeks we secured many families and corporations ready to support the cause. As the planning went on we realized the immense power that a group of people, all devoted to one cause, could have. The event was a huge success with nearly 300 people in attendance and close to $150,000 was donated directly to the JDRF Mid-Jersey Chapter.
We also encouraged our children to get involved. They formed a Youth Committee, which started a new fundraising effort named 'Dollars for Diabetes'. They collected everywhere from sport's fields to supermarkets, gaining one dollar at a time. A group of anonymous donors even offered to match each dollar they raised. The group of children grew just as quickly as the adults did, and their commitment was just as strong.
It makes me proud to know that along with the money we raised, we also raised awareness and concern in our community and even across the country, for this disorder that effects so many.
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