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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT: Phelps Media Group, Inc. at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
WEB SITE: PMG Press Releases are available at http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com
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USET Foundation Donates Trailer to sharingVillage's Driving For Surviving
GLADSTONE, NJ - July 24, 2008 - In a handing over the keys presentation on July 14, 2008, at its Gladstone headquarters, the USET Foundation donated its horse trailer to sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, Inc., a unique 501c 3 non-profit organization based in Far Hills, NJ. sharingVillage offers complimentary self-help and educational programs to cancer patients and survivors. Part of its mission is to use animals to facilitate healing. The organization's Driving For Surviving is a pediatric oncology equestrian carriage driving program that offers children the opportunity to receive physical therapy in a new and fun way - they learn to drive miniature ponies and then put on special exhibitions and take part in local driving competitions.
"We're donating our trailer because we no longer have a need and sharingVillage can greatly benefit from having a trailer of this size," explained Maureen Pethick, USET Foundation Communications Coordinator. "Now they can transport their miniature ponies and equipment to the various areas where they run their program. It's always been a challenge getting the animals and equipment to the various locations where they run the program, compete and give exhibitions."
The most recent Driving for Surviving exhibition was held at the Garden State Horse Show in Augusta, NJ. Show jumping Olympian Beezie Madden participated in the event, riding along with one of the children.
"The kids in the program either have cancer or are in remission. It's a way for them to get out and have fun and be proud of themselves for learning something new," noted Pethick. "It also gives them physical therapy that they don't even realize they're getting. When you have radiation it can make your body weak. Rather than going to physical therapy and lifting weights, they're out there getting the therapy without realizing it."
The USET Foundation has been involved with sharingVillage since 2005. The Foundation donates the use of its Gladstone, NJ, facility to sharingVillage for the organization's annual fundraiser and has also hosted the Driving For Surviving program.
"If it weren't for the generosity of the USET Foundation we would not be able to have our children with cancer proceed with their hopes and dreams of competing in horse shows," said Shelley Zlotkin, co-founder and Executive Director of sharingVillage. "Our children's dreams could be realized thanks again to the Foundation's help."
Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director, said, "The USET Foundation is so pleased to be able to donate the trailer to an organization that gives these kids the means to achieve great things and inspire us all."
For more information about sharingVillage and Driving For Surviving please visit their website, www.sharingvillage.org. |
Shelley Zlotkin of sharingVillage accepts trailer keys from Bonnie Jenkins, USET Foundation Executive Director (center). Teri Piancone, sharingVillage Board Member, holds the sharingVillage crystal lotus flower insignia, given in thanks to the Foundation.
PHOTO CREDIT: Nancy Jaffer. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.
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NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shelley Zlotkin
908-234-0334
Driving for Surviving Featured Exhibition
at $50,000 Grand Prix Show Jumping Event
May 26, 2008, FAR HILLS, New Jersey—Five children representing Driving for Surviving, a program of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, captivated the crowd at Garden State Horse Show as they performed center stage immediately preceding the show’s highlight $50,000 Grand Prix show jumping event, May 10. Located in Far Hills, NJ, sharingVillage is a nonprofit self help educational organization dedicated to the well being of cancer survivors from time of diagnosis and beyond. Garden State Horse Show named sharingVillage their beneficiary for the 2008 show.
Dr. Katrina Alger led the procession driving a standardbred horse and was followed by the children who all kept time to the perfect music selection – “Walking on Sunshine.”
Gary Johnson, 15, of East Orange, NJ carried a special passenger in his carriage. Beezie Madden, a member of the United States Equestrian Show Jumping Team who will be representing the U.S. in Beijing in August, rode along with Gary as he maneuvered the carriage pulled by a striking black pony named Box Car Willy. Most of the miniature horses and ponies in the Driving for Surviving program, including “Willy,” are either donated or on loan to the program. They are all well trained and very experienced, many having been former show ring champions. “Willy,” held the title of Reserve World Champion Driving Pony and competed all over Europe.
Johnson, who has been part of Driving for Surviving for about three years, admits that when he started in the program he was “kind of nervous at first.” Like most of the children in the program, ranging in age from 6-16, he had never really been around horses or ponies before. Johnson recalls starting out with a miniature horse named “Rocky” who quickly gave him confidence. “It’s really easier than I would have thought,” he admits, “and a lot of fun.” A sophomore at West Caldwell Essex Vocational School, Johnson has encouraged other children to join the program. “It’s not just the driving, but also the brushing, combing the manes, and all that kind of thing that we learn,” he explains.
Johnson has definitely learned well as he now competes in driving shows with “Willy.” At a large show last summer the pair “got 3rd place out of all of them!” he proudly recounts.
Shelley Zlotkin, sharingVillage executive director and founder of Driving for Surviving, is thrilled with the program’s success and what it has brought to the children. “……….. ………………………………………………….,” Started in 2003, the Driving for Surviving program is provided at no cost to participants through sharingVillage. The coaches are all volunteers and most of the 14 ponies and horses in the program, as well as their equipment, are on loan to the organization.
For more information on Driving for Surving and other programs offered through sharingVillage, visit www.sharingvillage.org. |
Giving Back
May 13, 2008
Today we salute to three very different Garden State charities that may get you thinking about giving back.
Driving For Surviving helps children with cancer heal by learning to prepare, manage, and ultimately drive a carriage pulled by a miniature horse or pony. The charity, based in Far Hills, pairs donated equines with kids, and the results are pure joy.
This past Saturday, the youngsters proudly drove their rigs past the stands at the Garden State Horse Show, just before the Grand Prix jumping contest. The show designated the charity as its 2008 beneficiary. You can watch the performance by clicking on http://www.njmyway.com/content/blogcategory/83/71/...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelley Zlotkin
Phone: 908-234-0334
Email: shelley@sharingvillage.org
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE NEW YORK TRI-STATE AREA AWARDS GRANT TO
SHARING VILLAGE “DRIVING FOR SURVIVING” PROGRAM
PEAPACK, NJ – Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area (RMHC_NYTSA) recently awarded $15,000 to sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups “Driving For Surviving” Pediatric Oncology Equestrian Driving Program.
Funding from the RMHC-NYTSA will be used by the “Driving for Surviving” program to help fund transportation to the weekly program, which is held in Tewksbury Twp., NJ (Hunterdon County) and Peapack, NJ (Somerset County). This grant allows sharingVillage to double the number of children served to 20 and provide them transportation from their homes and schools in Essex and Hudson counties. In addition, the grant will be utilized to provide the children food and beverages while they are at the program.
“We are so excited about all of the worthwhile programs that we are able to fund this year,” said Gerald McCoy RMHC President of the New York Tri-State Area. “It’s wonderful to partner with not-for-profit organizations working to better the community and to support programs that benefit children”.
“Driving For Surviving” is designed to meet the needs of young cancer survivors and their families by addressing this experience physically, mentally, spiritually and socially through the camaraderie of an expertly taught driving program. The children in the program, aged 6 to 14, come to the program having been through the rigors of cancer treatment and are empowered with new skills, are provided the opportunity to regain control of their life and to just be kids.
“Driving For Surviving” is provided at not cost to the participants through sharingVillage and the children are referred to the program through Cancer Institute of New Jersey, . . . . .
All of the coaches are volunteers and most of the horses and equipment are on loan. Additionally, sharingVillage has expanded the program to include rescuing horses destined for the slaughter house, providing them with medical care, rehabilitation, training and an opportunity to live out their lives with fellow survivors – the children of the “Driving For Surviving” program.
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If you’d like more information about this or to schedule an interview with Shelley Zlotkin, President and co-founder of sharingVillage, call her at 908-234-0334.
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"Boxcar Willy"
Robin Fairclough, "Boxcar Willy" and Shelley
Jim and Robin Rost Fairclough donate their world class Welsh pony "Boxcar Willy" to sharingVillage's Driving for Surviving.
Willy will work with our children and live at Lois and Chris Kennedy's Homestead Miniature Horse Farm in Oldwick. |
Program helps kids with cancer or family loss
By SANDY STUART Staff Writer
The endearingly cute miniature horses stand not much higher than Labrador retrievers, and the carriages they pull are about the size of grocery carts.
From the perspective of a kid – especially one who’s being treated for cancer or has lost a family member to the disease - what’s not to love about this small-world version of the sport of carriage driving?
“It’s really fun,” declared 14-year-old Danny Lane of Basking Ridge as he prepared to take the reins of “Dandy” the mini during a training session at a farm in Tewksbury Township on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
For youngsters in the “Driving for Surviving” program, having fun while mastering a new skill has proven to be an effective form of therapy.
But don’t say the word “therapy” too loud.
“In our house, we don’t call it that,” said Susan Anderson of Hillsborough, whose 15-year-old son, Kenneth, is being treated for a brain tumor. “For him, it’s just fun – he enjoys being around the horses. This is like a saving grace for him.”
After getting sick, Anderson explained, her son went from “Mr. Animation” to being solemn and withdrawn. “This has helped him come out again,” she said.
Patti Bennett of Basking Ridge, the mother of Danny Lane, said Driving for Surviving has helped her son cope with the loss of his beloved stepfather to cancer last year.
“He just loves it,” she said.
The two-year-old program - which uses volunteer coaches and borrowed horses, equipment and facilities - is sponsored by the sharingVillage cancer survivor organization in Peapack.
The founder and director of the program is Shelley Zlotkin of Bernardsville, a psychotherapist, equestrienne and autoimmune syndrome survivor.
“What the kids take away from this, primarily, is the confidence they lost,” said Zlotkin, as she watched five youngsters maneuvering their horses and carriages through a series of cones set up in a ring.
The 15 kids currently in the program train at both the Bedminster Township farm of Randi Leoni – a cancer survivor who also coaches - and at the Tewksbury farm of Lois Kennedy.
As the summer draws to a close, the training will become especially intense.
Seven of the children have been chosen to demonstrate their skills on Sunday, Sept. 17, in the United States Equestrian Team (USET) show ring in Bedminster. The event is part of a fund-raiser for sharingVillage.
Zlotkin said driving at such a prestigious venue is a big confidence-booster for the kids.
“We really ice the cake when we put them in that Olympic arena,” she said. “Probably nobody they know, nobody in their family or at their school, will ever have that experience of being there in front of a few hundred people.”
‘Not Stuffed Animals’
Kennedy, who owns two of the miniature horses used in the program, said they were specially chosen for their gentle temperaments.
“Most of them are national champion retired horses,” she said.
Zlotkin said the diminutive size of the minis make them less intimidating to the youngsters, although there is always some degree of risk inherent in the sport.
“The point of the program is for the children to access their hopes, fears and spiritual connections at one time,” Zlotkin said.
“These horses are not stuffed animals,” she continued. “They buck, they shy, they have good days and they have cranky days.”
In that sense, the horses are like the young drivers, many of whom suffer from cognitive and physical disabilities as a result of their cancer treatments.
Just as the miniature horses are chosen carefully, so are the volunteer coaches who work with the children.
“Most of the people we want to have working with these children are survivors of life-threatening illnesses themselves,” said Zlotkin.
“They also have to be familiar with loss,” she added. “They have to be familiar with it, because it will come up (during conversations) in the carriages.”
While some of the children practicing at Kennedy’s farm last Wednesday seemed tentative, at least in the beginning, others were exuberant.
Adults watching the training session gasped as 12-year-old Gary Johnson of East Orange executed a “spin out,” an advanced maneuver in which the wheels of his carriage skidded while going around a curve a high speed.
Although the some of the adults were taken aback at the display of driving prowess, Gary, who has cerebral palsy and lymphoma – just grinned.
Danny Lane was also smiling, at least until his asthma began giving him problems and he took a break to get his inhaler.
Zlotkin took advantage of the empty seat in his carriage to encourage Danny’s 11-year-old brother, Matthew, to hop in. Although Matthew has enjoyed petting and grooming the horses, until last week he hadn’t mustered the courage to try driving.
But after a few spins around the ring with volunteer coach Paige McCollum of Califon, Matthew was looking relaxed and happy.
After all, having fun is what it’s about.
“You watch these kids and they all have these smiles on their faces,” observed Anderson as her son finished his day’s training. “This is worthwhile, it really is.”
©Recorder Community Newspapers 2006
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Junior Advisory Board
Raises $4302.00 at Little League Opener!
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"Sparky", the Somerset Patriots mascot and Victor Hatalia, President of the Basking Ridge Little League with our Junior Board members Alexia McKeon and Danny Lane announcing the joint partnership, developed by these two young volunteers for sVG's "Driving For Surviving".
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04/26/2006
Teens pitch in to help local cancer survivor group
By MICHELLE IOSSA Contributing Writer
 (Photo by Michelle Iossa)
BERNARDSVILLE – Danny Lane and Lexi McKeon of Basking Ridge are idealistic teens with the drive and determination to make a difference.
Both have been personally touched by the devastation of cancer and are now working together to raise money to help other kids whose lives have also been touched by the disease.
Both Lane, 14, and McKeon, 12, are students at William Annin Middle School. In February, they created the Junior Advisory Board for sharingVillage Cancer Survivors Groups as a vehicle to support the organization’s “Driving For Surviving” program.
Last year, sharingVillage launched the program to provide young cancer patients, and those dealing with cancer loss, a chance to drive miniature carriage horses as part of their therapy. sharingVillage is a non-profit organization for cancer survivors and their families conducted by professionals also confronting a life-altering illness.
The 10-week program is a collaboration between sharingVillage, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. It concludes with a trip to the USET headquarters in Gladstone, where the survivors get to meet equestrian stars and drive in an arena in front of friends, supporters and sponsors.
Lane and McKeon are leading an effort to raise money to support the program by selling 2006 season ticket vouchers for the Somerset Patriots, the independent baseball team that plays its home games in Bridgewater. Fifty percent of all proceeds will go directly to the cause.
The youths will kick-off their fund-raising efforts at opening day for the Basking Ridge Little League on Saturday, April 29. Proceeds will help fund the equipment, care and training needed for the horses in the Driving For Surviving program. The cost of the program is approximately $1,000 per child.
“It is our goal to support this wonderful program that offers children who are surviving all of the issues along the cancer continuum an opportunity to gain control of their lives,’’ the teen’s mission statement declares. “We intend to achieve our goals through various fund-raising efforts involving schools as well as the community.”
Lane lost his step-father, Doug Bennett, to cancer in March 2005. In the course of watching the disease progress, he said he developed a commitment to helping others.
“My dad’s death was horrible and I believe in turning a negative into a positive,’’ he said. “I hope to use that experience to contribute to society and give the kids at sharingVillage a chance to get a piece of their childhood back.”
Little League Help
Following the death of a classmate, Bryan Opremcak, from a brain tumor two months ago, McKeon also was inspired to do something positive.
She contacted Victor Hatala, president of the Basking Ridge Little League, to discuss teaming up with sharingVillage to raise funds and awareness for the cause. Hatala eagerly accepted the request.
“Partnering with a charity that is committed to helping some of the most vulnerable children in our community is a natural for the league and the nearly 1,200 boys and girls who participate in the league’s spring and summer baseball programs,” he said.
Sparky, the Somerset Patriots mascot, will be on hand to participate in opening day ceremonies for the league and to help with the sale of Patriot ticket vouchers.
“We also intend to contribute a significant portion of the proceeds from the league’s second annual Independence Day Tournament (held in July) to the sharingVillage Cancer Survivors Groups programs for children,” Hatala said.
In addition to teaching baseball skills to children, Basking Ridge Little League strives to contribute to the overall development of its young members. Hatala said he is eager for the 2006 season and a chance to give members “an opportunity to learn how each of them may help other area children who are facing life-threatening battles.”
Last summer, the Independence Weekend Baseball Tournament was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bennett, a lifelong baseball fan who helped build the league’s concession stand.
“Everything I’m doing with sharingVillage, the Driving For Surviving Program and the Patriots is a tribute to my Dad who was a loyal baseball fan and believed in giving back to the community,” Lane said.
Although they have yet to decide their ultimate path in life, Lane and McKeon both plan to continue helping others.
McKeon, who recently appeared on stage in “Aladdin” at William Annin, enjoys singing, acting and sports. She aspires to perform on Broadway and use her celebrity to “bring about a positive change.”
Lane, an avid athlete who is quite mature for his age, is considering a career in child psychology. The Junior Advisory Board currently has four members. Lane and McKeon want to see it continue to grow.
Opening day activities for Basking Ridge Little League will start at 9 a.m. on April 29 at the Pleasant Valley Park.
For more information on sharingVillage, visit www.sharingVillage.org, or call 234-0334. Contributions may be sent to sharingVillage, P.O. Box 682, Far Hills, N.J., 07931.
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 Patriots Join With Basking Ridge Little League
04/20/2006 12:52 PM -
Bridgewater, NJ – The 2005 Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have joined the Basking Ridge Little League to raise funds for the children’s programs of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups.
As a part of its 2006 partnership with sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, Basking Ridge Little League will sell fundraising vouchers for Somerset Patriots games during the league’s Opening Day Celebration on Saturday, April 29th at Ridge Ballpark. The money raised by the sale of the fundraising vouchers will benefit sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups.
sharingVillage is a non-profit organization for cancer survivors and their families conducted by professionals also confronting a life altering illness.
Danny Lane (14 years old) and Lexi McKeon (13 years old) of Basking Ridge have created a Junior Advisory Board for sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups to give back to the organization that helped them through the loss of family members and friends.
The goal of the fundraiser is to help the “Driving For Surviving” program. The founder of sharingVillage, in collaboration with the United States Equestrian Team Foundation and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey provide children with compassionate healing and a sense of accomplishment through this carriage-driving program. Children who have been diagnosed with cancer and those dealing with loss due to cancer have benefited tremendously through learning the sport of driving.
“It is our goal to support this wonderful program that offers children who are surviving all of the issues along the cancer continuum an opportunity to gain control of their lives. We intend to achieve our goals through various fundraising efforts involving schools as well as the community,” said Danny Lane and Lexi McKeon.
In addition to teaching baseball-playing skills and staging organized baseball games for children, Basking Ridge Little League strives to contribute to the overall development of the League’s young members into well-adjusted adults.
“Partnering with a charity that is committed to helping some of the most vulnerable children in our community is a natural for the League and the nearly 1,200 boys and girls who participate in the League’s spring and summer baseball programs,” said Victor M. Hatala, the League’s current president.
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Bernards Township Junior Board Raises $591.00 In Two Hours!
On Sunday, April 9th, Starbucks, located at the Riverwalk in Basking Ridge, partnered with sharingVillage to raise money for the Driving For Surviving Program by selling tickets for sharingVillage’s other partner the Somerset Patriots Baseball Team’s games.
sharingVillage’s New Junior Advisory Board’s co-presidents Danny Lane and Lexi McKeon raised $591. This was the Bernard’s Township’s Board's first time selling tickets and they will continue through the end of the summer.
On April 29th they will be selling tickets again, this time at Basking Ridge Little League’s opening day and again on May 20th at Bernard’s Township’s Charter Day.
Many thanks go to Joanne Hafemeister of Starbuck’s for her continuous support of sharingVillage. Joanne and Starbucks will be partnering with us again at Charter Day, donating beverages and with all proceeds from those sales going to sVCsg.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2006 |
Somerset Patriots Team Up With The Basking Ridge Little League
To Support sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups
Bridgewater, NJ – The 2005 Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have joined the Basking Ridge Little League to raise funds for the children’s programs of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups.
As a part of its 2006 partnership with sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, Basking Ridge Little League will sell fundraising vouchers for Somerset Patriots games during the league’s Opening Day Celebration on Saturday, April 29th at Ridge Ballpark. The money raised by the sale of the fundraising vouchers will benefit sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups.
sharingVillage is a non-profit organization for cancer survivors and their families conducted by professionals also confronting a life altering illness.
Danny Lane (14 years old) and Lexi McKeon (13 years old) of Basking Ridge have created a Junior Advisory Board for sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups to give back to the organization that helped them through the loss of family members and friends.
The goal of the fundraiser is to help the “Driving For Surviving” program. The founder of sharingVillage, in collaboration with the United States Equestrian Team and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey provide children with compassionate healing and a sense of accomplishment through this carriage-driving program. Children who have been diagnosed with cancer and those dealing with loss due to cancer have benefited tremendously through learning the sport of driving.
“It is our goal to support this wonderful program that offers children who are surviving all of the issues along the cancer continuum an opportunity to gain control of their lives. We intend to achieve our goals through various fundraising efforts involving schools as well as the community,” said Lane and McKeon in their mission statement.
In addition to teaching baseball-playing skills and staging organized baseball games for children, Basking Ridge Little League strives to contribute to the overall development of the League’s young members into well-adjusted adults.
“Partnering with a charity that is committed to helping some of the most vulnerable children in our community is a natural for the League and the nearly 1,200 boys and girls who participate in the League’s spring and summer baseball programs,” said Victor M. Hatala, the League’s current president .
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SOMERSET PATRIOTS BASEBALL CLUB
1 Patriots Park
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 252-0700
Fax: (908) 252-0776
www.somersetpatriots.com
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Basking Ridge Little League Partners with the Somerset Patriots Professional Baseball Club to Support the Children’s Programs of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups
In addition to teaching baseball-playing skills and staging organized baseball games for children, Basking Ridge Little League strives to contribute to the overall development of the League’s young members into good citizens. In 2005, under the leadership of then president Dr. Anthony Frisoli, the Basking Ridge Little League board of directors established that a community service initiative should be an annual component of the League’s overall programs and initiatives.
“This year Basking Ridge Little League is pleased to partner with sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups to help support sharingVillage’s innovative children’s programs,” said Mr. Victor M. Hatala, the League’s current president.
As a part of its 2006 partnership with sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups, Basking Ridge Little League will work with sharingVillage during the League’s Opening Day Celebration on Saturday, April 29th at Ridge Ballpark to raise funds for sharingVillage’s children’s programs by selling vouchers to the professional baseball games of Somerset Patriots.
The Patriots graciously have donated the vouchers to sharingVillage on a discounted basis. Sparky, the Somerset Patriots mascot will be on hand to march in the Basking Ridge Little League’s Annual Opening Day parade, to participate in official Opening Day ceremonies, and to sell vouchers to Patriots games.
“Basking Ridge Little League also intends to contribute a significant portion of the proceeds from the League’s 2nd Annual Independence Weekend Baseball Tournament (held in July) to the sharingVillage Cancer Survivors Group’s programs for children,” according to Mr. Hatala
“Partnering with a charity that is committed to helping some of the most vulnerable children in our community is a natural for the League and the nearly 1,200 boys and girls who participate in the League’s spring and summer baseball programs. In addition to practicing basic baseball skills and playing in games, the League’s members also will have an opportunity this year to learn how each of them may help other area children who are facing life-threatening battles,” added Mr. Hatala.
With 1,200 boys and girls and their families as members, Basking Ridge Little League is one of the most active and most-recognized youth programs in the Somerset Hills area. Like many youth baseball organizations, the League is 100% volunteer-operated and receives no tax-dollar support.
For additional information about Basking Ridge Little League and its programs, please see the League’s website at www.brll.org or send an email message to president@brll.org.
For additional information, please contact:
Victor M. Hatala
Basking Ridge Little League
(908) 672-6708 (cell)
(908) 903-1055 (home) |
Sunday, April 9th 1-3pm: Healthy Kids Day at Somerset Hills YMCA..........sVcsg will present our film "Driven" to the public as well as presenting our materials and mission. kids will also provide face painting for the young and the young at heart! this
will be the premier of our newest young volunteers, The Junior Board of Basking Ridge. Volunteers led by Danny Lane and Lexi McKeon will be at our table to answer you questions about volunteering, "Driving for Surviving" and all sharingVillage programs. Come grab a snack and learn what we do and how you can help!!!!
Saturday April 29th: 9 am Parade arrive at Basking Ridge Little League Comlex. !0:30 Opening Day Remarks Opening Day of Basking Ridge Little League: Basking Ridge Little League Parade leading member children and parents involved in little league to the baseball complex where there will be an Official announcement about the partnership between BRLL and sVcsg. "Sparky" the mascot for the Somerset Patriots will be at the sharingVillage table and lead the parade. Our Junior Board thanks to a partnership between sharingVillage and the Patriots will be inaugurated this saturday. as a fundraiser our junior board will be selling Somerset Patriots baseball for use all through out the season. The Patriots are donating $4 to sharingVillage for every ticket sold. Once again our infamous face painters will be present. Mr Larry Higgins ever faithful friend and professional pilot will donate his private plane for personal guided tours of the magnificent Somerset Hillls plus!! We are ever grateful that the Basking Ridge Little League will donate has a portion of the proceeds from two summer baseball tournaments to sVcsg.
April 13th: Basking Ridge Little League: Shelley will be speaking at the Basking Ridge Little League meeting.
May 7th: Shelley and Danny Lane of our Junior Board will make a presentation at Congregation B'nai Israel on our many programs, for volunteers and survivors as well show our film "Driven." We will also bring our miniature "survivor" horse "Polly" !!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday May 20th: Charter Day in downtown Basking Ridge: from 10:30-5:00 the Junior Board will have a table where once again we will have the Somerset Patriots mascot "Sparky" with them while they sell Patriots tickets as a benefit for sharingVillage will be avaialbe for purchase. Sales of artful face painting, airplane rides and baked goods all available thanks to our volunteers. A special thank you again to STARBUCKS who will donate iced coffee and iced tea ice for the entire day with a full donation to sharingVillage. THANK YOU STARBUCKS!!!!!!
Saturday May 20th: sharingVillage Open House sharingVillage will host a free Open House to introduce the variety of healing modalities to be offered by its new Healing Center. Aimed at those with or without a diagnosis, this day of learning and nurturing will showcase modalities not commonly provided by conventional medicine, but which can be added to conventional care. The Open House will take place on Saturday, May 20th from 1 pm to 5 pm at sharingVillage’s Peapack offices. Educational and experiential workshops will be offered by sharingVillage’s practitioners on such modalities as healthcare decision-making, relaxation and visualization, yoga and mindfulness meditation, nutrition and botanical medicine, Classical Chinese Medicine, Buddhist and Hindu “non-attachment” and its application to coping and relationships, and Reiki. To register or for more information call (908) 234-0334.
Saturday June 16th New Brunswick: Survivors Day... The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has invited sharingVillage to present its program and maintain an information table manned by our "Driving for Surviving" families. Thanks to Dawn Carey RN MPH and Marge Masterson MD.
Thursday April 6th... The Bernardsville News will interview and do a feature story on the family of Doug Bennett who passed away just a year ago from a brain tumor. Patti and her two sons, Danny and Matt have become an integral part of the sharingVillage family! We could not do without this wonderful trio!!! Danny and neighbor Lexi Mckeon have established the newest additon to our young people's volunteer program right here in Bernards Township, The Junior Board of Bernards Township.
A special thank you to the "Power of One", PATTI BENNETT! Patti and her family have single handely taken sharingVillage under their wing as a tribute to the memory of father and husband Doug gathering many blessing for which we are thankful. Their effort will allow us to continue to assist others in the community that have walked the path this family has walked.
PRESS RELEASES: This month the Somerset Patriots Baseball Team, Carol Simon Cancer Center, Atlantic Health Systems, The Luekemia and Lymphoma Society will all be announcing relationships and alliances with sharingVillage.
Ongoing Lecture Series on Mind Body Healing throughout April sponsored by Fellowship Village, Bernards Township . sharingVillage practitioners recently provided a series of free educational workshops at Fellowship Village senior community in Basking Ridge, NJ. Topics included Managing Stress, Visualization and Imagery, Managing Life Challenges and Sustaining a Healing Lifestyle. Presenters were sharingVillage’s licensed clinical social workers/survivors, Registered Yoga Teacher and naturopathic doctor/licensed acupuncturist.
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For Immediate Release
August 31, 2005
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Contact: Aimee Hunnewell
(908) 234-0334
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Many tend to treat childhood cancer survivors as fragile, but there’s nothing tougher than clambering up on the seat of an equestrian carriage and confidently taking the reins of a horse for a precision driving workout.
Carriage driving has been the passion for the past six months for a handful of young cancer survivors, all in various stages of remission from leukemia, neuoblastoma, or brain tumors. And they are learning from some of the United States’ most accomplished drivers, including Sara Schmitt of Glen Gardner, a U.S. World Team member who was 10th in the World Pony Driving Championships in England in July.
The Driving for Surviving program is an outgrowth of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups in Peapack, a self-help and education program serving cancer survivors and their families. It is possibly the only therapeutic carriage-driving program in the country, says Shelley Zlotkin of Bernardsville, a member of sharingVillage’s Executive Board and one of the originators of the program.
“Carriage driving is very empowering, and we wanted to bring that feeling to children who have been wrestling with health and emotional issues connected to childhood cancers,” said Zlotkin.
The young carriage drivers have become so accomplished that Driving for Surviving will hold a special demonstration Sunday, Sept. 18 at noon in the Sand Arena at the U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone. Tickets range in price from $55 to $365 for patrons.
The exhibition is being choreographed by Randy Leoni of Bedminster with Schmitt, and drivers Candi and Ed Aversenti of Oldwick. The young drivers have their lessons every Tuesday and Thursday with mini ponies who are donated for the course of the program. As these young survivors run across the parking lot to the stable, their excitement often cannot be contained.
Kenny Andersen, 14, of Hillsborough, NJ, is in remission from a brain tumor. His left side has been affected by illness, and driving is a way to enhance his abilities.
To watch Kenny holding the reins of his horse in his left hand and tugging gently to make the horse turn left is to see determination in action. “This is the best thing that has happened to Kenny,” said mom Susan Andersen. “It has given him real confidence. I can see such a difference in him.”
Kenny, who had never been around horses before, says that he gets tremendous satisfaction out of guiding an animal around a ring. “When I’m driving, I don’t think about my illness,” he added.
Another Driving for Surviving student, Megan Gutwillig from Hampton, and her parents had been looking at strength building programs for some time because of the osteoporosis she suffers following her recent successful treatment for leukemia. “Driving for Surviving just jumped out at us as being perfect,” said her mother, Susan Gutwillig.
One of the youngest drivers is 10-year-old Dylan Hartrum of South River, who is recovering from neuroblastoma, diagnosed when he was only an infant. Dylan loves to trot and do figures with cones, but one of the best parts of the lesson for him is to uncouple the carriage and bathe and groom his horse.
Grooming goes along with horse management in every three-hour session. “It’s so cute,” said Susan Gutwillig, Megan Gutwillig’s mother. “Sometimes the kids come out wetter than the horses!”
The horses used in the program range from Pollyanna, an even-tempered mini, to the powerful High Country Doc, a stallion that belongs to Schmitt. According to Schmitt, Driving for Surviving is looking for additional horses to participate, especially the minis.
At first Schmitt and other instructors spent a lot of time sitting with each child in the cart, making sure each was strong enough to drive and could pay attention since driving can be challenging.
“The program wanted everyone to feel safe,” said Zlotkin. Now that driving is almost second-hand nature to these children, sessions start with a walk to stretch and make sure the animal is feeling good, according to Zlotkin. Instructor and youngster drive together for a few minutes. “If instructors feel the child is capable, then they step out of the cart,” she said. Each training session always ends with refreshments in the stable’s office.
All riding equipment has been donated or lent by horse owners who support the program. A sponsor is providing all helmets, vests, gloves, and driving blankets for a Sept 18 exhibition and luncheon at the main barn of The United States Equestrian Team Federation.
Tricia Kieffer, a mother of 14-year-old Megan, one of the young drivers, is embroidering the sharingVillage logo on each driving blanket, a tradition in carriage driving.
Megan is in remission from neuroblastoma after several years of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. But one would never know it, looking at athletic young girl driving Pollyanna around the ring.
“This really gives her a sense of accomplishment,” said Kieffer. “The instructors make her feel good about herself. And she’s having fun. Everyone here – the people, the volunteers – have just been so super.”
For more information about the Driving for Surviving or the ringside exhibition at the U.S. Equestrian Team in Gladstone, please call ((908) 234-0334. |
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For Immediate Release
March 21, 2005
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Contact: Aimee Hunnewell
(908) 234-0334
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aimee@sharingvillage.org |
sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups Announces
“MUSIC WITH A MISSION” on April 20, 2005
To Aid Self-Healing Retreat.
The sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups Middle School Board would like to announce the winners of their 2nd Annual Music Competition, held Saturday March 5th at Church of the Holy Spirit in Lebanon, NJ. The judges were Dr. George MarrinerMaull, conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra of NJ along with Dr. Russell Hoffman and Valentina Jotovic. Several of the talented young performers will be playing at area restaurants on Wednesday April 20th when we sponsor “Music With a Mission Night”. Each participating restaurant will donate a percentage of their evening’s proceeds to support the sharingVillage SPRING SELF-HEALING RETREAT.
Participating restaurants include:
- The Foolish Fox Piano Bar in Whitehouse –
- The performers are: Timothy Naumovitz and Stefanie Naumovitz, from Lebanon, NJ, piano solos and duet and Julia Mark, from Bloomsbury, piano. Timothy is the winner of the High School Trophy.
- Le Petite Chateau in Bernardsville -
- The performers are: Jihae Moon, from Belle Meade, cello, winner of the Elementary School Trophy; Anna and Emily Fitzpatrick, from Asbury, voice and harp; Emily Brenner, from Basking Ridge, piano; Deborah Rothbard from Livingston, violin; Audri Li from Basking Ridge, piano; and Amy Garcia, of East Hanover, piano.
- Verve in Somerville -
- The performers are: Mike Greulich from Quakertown, piano, runner-up in the Young Composer category; and Kayla Michelle from Chatham, piano.
- daFillipo Restaurant in Somerville -
- The performers are: Saraswathi Shukla, piano, from Princeton, NJ, winner of the Middle School Trophy; Neel Sangal, from Annandale, violin; Justine and Andrew Langman, from Lebanon, piano duet. Justine is the winner of the Young Composer Trophy.
The music competition continues to raise funds for sharingVillage to assist with scholarships for 38 cancer survivors to participate in a weekend retreat of self-healing, meditation and stress reduction.
The Retreat is scheduled for June 3-5, 2005 in Mendham, NJ at the Quellen Spiritual Center on the Campus of the Sisters of Christian Charity, and will be conducted by physicians, instructors and professors from NY Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College & Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The Middle School Board members are: Lydia McGinnis- President, Jourdan-Marie Higgins- Vice President, Cassandra Osterman- Treasurer, Cassie Park- Secretary, Katelyn Fenton- Publicity Officer, Claire Symanski-Communications Officer, Callie Falk- Advertising Officer, Ciera Sherman- Historian.
For more information, please visit www.sharingvillage.org
or call (908) 234-0334 |
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August 4, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Far Hills, NJ – Prepare to be dazzled on Thursday, September 23, 2004 as the new Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster lays out its finery for the club’s inaugural charity event, an evening of fine wine and food pairings to benefit the sharingVillage organization. The event is part of the 2004 Tour de Vin series put forth by the Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups to raise money for the organization so it can broaden its scope and patient base.
The evening promises to be an exquisite one: guests will be regaled by the musical talents of members of The Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey as they please their palates with the brilliant culinary delights of Trump’s Executive Chef. The evening also features a silent auction, with such gems as fine wine, golf packages, Nantucket getaways on private planes, collectibles, spa packages and magnificent temptations awarded to the highest bidder. Space is limited and the admission fee is $350.00 per person.
Founded in 1997 by William Diehl, MD, surgical oncologist; Shelley Zlotkin, MSW, oncology psychotherapist; and Sister Joanna Papicco, M.Th, sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the social, emotional, physical and spiritual well being of cancer survivors and their families. It offers unconditional support from time of diagnosis through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and beyond in groups conducted by similarly afflicted individuals. Services such as nutrition, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, creative arts therapy and massage are all provided free of charge to participants. Donations received from all Tour de Vin events go to direct patient services.
“One of the things that makes sharingVillage so unique,” says co-founder Shelley Zlotkin, “is our use of group facilitators who are wounded healers--individuals who have confronted their own battle with a life-threatening illness such as cancer. To newly diagnosed cancer patients, wounded healers bring a level of compassion and understanding that simply cannot be matched. They offer a healing modality, a sense of hope and strength based on their own ongoing experience. Wounded healers have walked the very path of the newly diagnosed and have firsthand knowledge of the journey.”
Zlotkin estimates that sharingVillage turns away hundreds of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year—for simple lack of funding necessary to develop and facilitate new groups.
Recognizing this need, the Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups organized the Tour de Vin, a series of exclusive wine and food pairings scheduled throughout 2004 and beyond. Recently a new sharingVillage Healing Center at 161 Main Street, Peapack has become a gathering place for patients, their families and the community. In the future, sharingVillage hopes to be able hire several new professional wounded healers, who can, in turn, facilitate a number of new survivor groups, opening the door to compassionate healing for many more cancer patients.
“Our program helps individuals find quality of life; we help them discover the courage and dignity necessary to confront their own personal battles,” states Zlotkin. “It is the combination of wounded healers, traditional medicine and complementary and integrative services that makes our program so successful on all levels.”
For more information on sharingVillage and sponsorship opportunities or to attend an event, please call;
Shelley Zlotkin: (908) 295-0949
or
Chrystine Tauber: (908) 439-3464
Or visit www.sharingvillage.org
June 4, 2004
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Far Hills, NJ –
The 2004 Tour de Vin continues! Friends of sharingVillage Cancer
Survivor Groups are pairing fine wines and delicious food at extraordinary
venues to raise money for the organization so it can broaden its scope
and patient base.
The most recent event, the “Next Generation Chocolate and Wine
Extravaganza,” held May 14, proved a tremendous success,
netting some $16,000 for the sharingVillage organization. See the Press Photos of the event.
Next stop:
An exquisite evening at the new Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster
on Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 7:00 PM. The evening promises
brilliant culinary delights paired
with first-rate wines in a truly exceptional setting. A silent auction
will also be part of the festivities. Attendance is limited and the
admission fee is $350.00 per person.
National cancer statistics estimate that there are more than 250,000
women in the US living with breast cancer. Some 7,400 new breast
cancer patients will be diagnosed within the year--in New Jersey alone.
Given those statistics, the need for organizations like sharingVillage,
and the services they provide, has grown exponentially.
Founded in 1997 by William Diehl, MD, surgical oncologist; Shelley Zlotkin,
MSW, oncology psychotherapist; and Sister Joanna Papicco, M.Ph, sharingVillage
Cancer Survivor Group is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated
to the social, emotional, physical and spiritual well being of cancer
survivors and their families. It offers unconditional support from time
of diagnosis through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and beyond in
groups conducted by similarly afflicted individuals. Meditation, yoga,
acupuncture and massage are all provided free of charge to all participants.
Donations received from all Tour de Vin events will go to direct patient
services.
“One of the things that makes sharingVillage so unique,” says co-founder Shelley Zlotkin, “is our use of group facilitators
who are wounded healers--individuals who have confronted their own battle
with a life-threatening illness such as cancer. To newly diagnosed cancer
patients, wounded healers bring a level of compassion and understanding
that simply cannot be matched. They offer a healing modality, a sense
of hope and strength based on their own ongoing experience. They have
walked the very path of the newly diagnosed and have firsthand knowledge
of the journey.”
Zlotkin estimates that sharingVillage turns away hundreds of newly
diagnosed cancer patients each year—for simple lack of funding
necessary to develop and facilitate new groups.
Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups organized the Tour
de Vin, a series of exclusive wine and food pairings scheduled throughout
2004 and beyond. It hopes to raise enough funds to allow sharingVillage
to hire several new professional wounded healers, who can, in turn,
facilitate a number of new survivor groups, opening the door to compassionate
healing for many more cancer patients.
“Our program helps individuals find quality of life; we help them
discover the courage and dignity necessary to confront their own personal
battles,” states Zlotkin. “It is the combination of wounded
healers, traditional medicine and complementary and integrative services,
such as yoga, meditation and nutrition that makes our program so successful
on all levels.”
For more information on sharingVillage and sponsorship opportunities
or to attend an event, please call:
Shelley Zlotkin: (908) 295-0949
Or reach us at: shelley@sharingvillage.org
April 7, 2004
sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14th Chocolate
Tasting
Far Hills, NJ -- The Friends of sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Groups
will present “The Next Generation Chocolate and Wine Tasting
Extravaganza” on May 14, 2004. This event is part of sharingVillage’s “Tour de Vin,” a series of extraordinary wine and food
events to benefit the organization. Future events include a paired food
and wine tasting at the Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster on September
23, and “An Evening in Tuscany” at a private venue
on the Bernardsville Mountain on October 22, with festivities continuing
the following day at the Far Hills Race Meeting.
The Next Generation Chocolate and Wine Tasting Extravaganza will be
held at a gracious estate in the heart of New Jersey’s Essex Hunt
Country. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste chocolate crafted
by a new wave of American chocolatiers, each selected by a jury of confectionery
experts, food writers and senior instructors from prestigious culinary
institutes for their award-winning ability to think outside the chocolate
box. Here chocolate becomes a culinary canvas to which such exotic flavors
as wasabi, lavender black peppercorn, zinfandel, balsamic vinegar and
kaffir lime provide the colorful character.
Among these noted artists are Patrick Coston, nominated as one of the “Ten Best Pastry Chefs in America” by Chocolatier Magazine
and winner of a bronze medal in the 2003 National Pastry Team Championship;
Brian McElrath, who’s truffles the Minneapolis Star Tribune described
as being so extravagantly designed that “they would not appear
out of place in a jeweler’s velvet-lined case;” Michael Recchiuti,
dubbed the “Picasso of San Francisco chocolatiers” by Gourmet
Magazine; and Andrew Shotts, who has also been nominated as one of the
“Ten Best Pastry Chefs in America” by Chocolatier Magazine
and received a silver medal in the 2001 and 2000 National Pastry Team
Championship.
Paired with these masterful confectionary gems will be appropriately
selected wines from Schieffelin & Somerset's impressive wine collection,
as well as gourmet tea and coffee. Schieffelin & Somerset are distributors
of Dom Pérignon, Moët-Chandon and Grand Marnier.
The dinner portion of the evening will be produced by Executive Chef
Chris Quintile of The Tewksbury Inn. Chef Quintile began his career
at The Tewksbury Inn in 1989 under the employment of the inn’s
owners Rick and Joyce Brady. After several years, he left to further
educate himself under a variety of chefs, most recently at Onesixtyblue
in Chicago with Executive Chef Patrick Robertson, also an alumnus of
The Tewksbury Inn. Now an award- winning chef in his own right, Quintile
has come full circle and is back at the inn under the management of
Karen Barlow, daughter of Rick and Joyce Brady.
sharingVillage Cancer Survivor Group is an independent, non-profit,
volunteer organization comprising medical and mental health professionals,
cancer survivors and experts in the areas of complimentary and integrative
medicine who provide a range of group, community and individual services
to recently diagnosed cancer patients and their families. On every level,
sharingVillage is composed of people afflicted with life-threatening
illness, both those who receive and those who administer the services.
Reservations are limited. Tickets for the event are $150.00 per person
and may be purchased by check or credit card. Visit www.sharingvillage.org
for more information.
Photos available upon request.
For information contact:
Kurt Maier (908) 872-5713
shelley@sharingvillage.org
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