Letter: 'Caring for Kathy' Attracted 'Generous, Wonderful Friends'

Editor's Note: was planned more than a month in advance at a fundraiser to help defray the costs of cancer treatment for Kathy Kelleher, a resident of the township for 30 years and, until recently, a teacher at the in Basking Ridge. The event before last Friday.

Dear Editor:

On behalf of everyone who worked on the Caring for Kathy: a Night at the Beach fundraiser that was held on Friday, March 2 at Saint James School, I thank you and the staff at The Basking Ridge Patch for helping us to publicize the event. The articles you published during the period leading up to the event evidently reached our target audience and transformed many from casual readers to active participants. We are most grateful for your support.

We would also like to acknowledge publically the generosity and involvement of Reverend Glenn Comandini, pastor of and Mr. Jeremiah Kenny, principal of Saint James School,  for graciously offering use of the school gym to host the event; The Saint James Men of Charity for their assistance in planning and executing the event, for managing the Tiki Bar, and for their beverage donation ; Cliff Cabibe and his staff at The Country Picnic in Bedminster for providing a delicious buffet, offering staging advice,  and donating linens and tables; Brian Moscetti of at Riverwalk for his donation of amazing appetizers; Mary Corbet, the Saint James Parish Secretary, for her guidance and for publicizing the event in the Sunday Bulletin; Linda Sadlouskos of The Basking Ridge Patch for publicizing the event; to the many individuals and groups that donated baskets, gift certificates and other prizes to the Silent Auction and the Tricky Tray; Comedian Andy Picarro and DJ Jim Hempel for donating their time and talent to entertain at the event; and Stacey Axelrod for donating her time as the event photographer.

Nobody could do this alone, so I am forever grateful to the committee that was so competent, caring and hard-working. Everyone involved performed his or her duties so professionally that it looked easy.  All eyes were always on what was best for Kathy.

Finally, a party isn’t a party without guests; accordingly, A Night at the Beach would never have succeeded without the attendance of so many generous, wonderful friends of Kathy Kelleher and her family. The turnout was extraordinary, just like the Bernards Township community.  The participation of so many friends and neighbors was a tribute not only to Kathy but also to their big hearts and open hands. We are truly humbled by their kindness, compassion and benevolence.

Anyone who missed the event and/or would like to donate to the Caring for Kathy Fund, please mail checks payable to Saint James Men of Charity (note “Caring for Kathy” in the memo) to 16 Normandy Court, Basking Ridge, 07920-1905.

Thank you, one and all, and may God reward your generosity in kind.

Jody D’Agostini
Chairman, Caring for Kathy
16 Normandy Court
Basking Ridge
908-295-0092