Through the Young Ambassador program, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School junior Michael Savare was inspired to give back to Goryeb Children’s Hospital of Morristown, NJ and The Valerie Fund, the place and organization that supported him and his family during his cancer treatment.
The Valerie Fund is a non-profit organization located in Maplewood, NJ that was established in 1976 by Ed and Sue Goldstein in memory of their daughter, Valerie. They have eight centers in hospitals in NJ, NY and Metro Philadelphia areas treating around 6,000 patients every year. The Valerie Fund has raised more than thirteen million dollars dedicated to cancer patients.
Savare organized a toy and gift card drive from September to October as his independent service project. He raised over $1,500 combined from a fundraising page and money in gift cards. As well as raising money, he shared a personalized Amazon Wishlist by the patients in the promotion of the drive and collected over 50 items.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Savare and his mother visited the hospital to hand the check to the Child Life Specialist Kristin Holtzman and social worker Ann Stocknoff along with all the physical donations that were collected in the month. Holtzman and Stocknoff are two special individuals that assisted him during treatment.
Savare is grateful to be a member of the 9th Young Ambassador Class and for all the support he has received throughout his journey being at the HLF. He knows that there is no sum of money or amount of donations he can give to cover all the selfless acts that were made to help him get better, but is very glad to have the opportunity to give back to people that are in a similar situation he was once in.
