"When you drive down Westville Avenue on Saturday,
you'll see us all out there," Stickels commented.
"Feel free to stop over and check it out;
you are NOT in any way obligated to participate, we are just really hoping to get the community interested in supporting the teams that are walking."

"Please come by to cheer on friends, family, groups or all of us. 
During the whole event, we'll have DJ 'd music by Rich and Tom. 
We'll also have fun events including local merchant demos," said Stickels,
"in Karate, Zumba and Yoga and
live entertainment by the Dapper Dans of Harmony. 
This year is a whole new year.
It's time for our community to pull together
and kick cancer to the curb once and for all."

"A must see is our Luminary Ceremony which will happen once it gets dark; 
this is a very moving time during our twelve-hour walk. 
If you've been touched in any way by cancer this is something to participate in. 
It's dark, its silent, and one by one,
glow sticks are activated by request
and memories and life event reflections happen," Stickels expressed.

Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley

“After explaining the concept of fundraising to her,
Sophia decided that she was going to have her own fundraiser
so that she can help her friends,” her mother Janet Pedrazzi said.
“She decided to sell her artwork.
She insisted I mark the family calendar and that we begin our preparations.”

Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley

“I feel that what I am doing is important because it teaches people
what is really out there," Sophia explained, 
"and what other people are dealing with.
It also teaches people to be thankful for what they have.
My favorite part is handing over the money to Owen's family 
and giving it to Rafi's fund
because I love to see the smiles on their faces." 

"We inviting the community to come out to our Casino Night.
It's always fun and all the money raised goes directly to support those in need," Vero Amici President Joseph Garamella cmmented.
"Our guests can win some great prizes!
We have a Flat Screen TV, a Lap Top, Billy Joel concert tickets,
front-row broadway tickets, Yankees and Mets tickets,
Jewelry and lots of other great items.
There is something for everyone.
We hope to see you there!"

Vero Amici for Charity was established in December, 2005, by local men from the West Essex community. The mission of Vero Amici, which translates to "True Friends," is to raise money through charitable contributions that are dedicated for children, citizens with disabilities, senior citizens and under-privileged youths who need medical or financial assistance and to promote local awareness in our communities. The values of Vero Amici come from the individuals that make up their association.  These individuals are compassionate, committed and most importantly, caring.

"RJ Mercado was a three year old little boy who loved Thomas the Train, loved his family and was adored in turn," commented the Children’s Corner Director Robert Conaway. "At our school, RJ was a Purple Penguin who could be heard singing and clapping along to his favorite song, “The Bunny Song.” His voice carried through the halls as he hopped along. At the tender age of three, he was taken away to hop and play with the angels."

The Children’s Corner is an eclectic preschool whose mission is to nurture student growth through creative learning in a loving, safe environment. Founded in 2004, the school is a parent-driven non-profit focused on providing high quality education to families at an affordable cost.

David Usher and Kristie Pina, of Livingston, with their son, Dean Credit: Family

 “There are no words to express how grateful we are,"
commented the child's father, David Usher,
a coach who is well-known in the Livingston community.
"These kids are truly special, and Kristie and I
cannot thank their parents enough for all the support they’ve shown us.
We are overwhelmed by the team’s and the community’s support."

Friends and family join in Running 4 Answers in support of Bill Buckley who has early-onset Alzheimer's. Buckley is in the center, wearing a black jacket, and is to the left of Carolyn Mastrangelo wearing the white shirt. Barbara Geiger is in the front, bottom right, wearing a white hat. Credits: Carolyn Mastrangelo

At the opening of the 2011 race Mastrangelo commented, 
“People
 ask 
me 
all 
the
 time, ‘Does
 your
 Mom
 recognize
 you?’ 


To
 understand
 what this 
disease
 does,
 let
 me 
explain: 
my
 mom
 hasn’t recognized
 me
 in 
over six
 years.

 
One
 of 
the 
last 
’real’ 
things 
I
 remember 
her
 saying 
to
 me 
is
 
‘No, 
I 
don’t 
know
 who 
you 
are,
 I 
just 
know 
that I 
love 
you.”

Running 4 Answers is a registered 501c3 not for profit organization