Brick PBA Extending Helping Hands To Family Of Ailing Boy

The family of 10-year-old Ryan Magnotta has been chosen as the recipient of the 25th annual Helping Hands Benefit Basketball Game, sponsored by the Brick Township Policemen’s Benevolent Association.

The game, set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27, pits members of the police department against members of the Brick Township Green Dragons football team.

Ryan, 10, was diagnosed at age 5 with a pancreatic disease known as hereditary chronic pancreatitis. Over the years, he has been in and out of hospitals, undergoing multiple procedures, and he lives with a feeding tube on a daily basis. His pain and discomfort are constant. And the family has a substantial amount of medical debt that continues to increase.

The Helping Hands game has annually raised money for a family facing financial hardship due to a child’s serious illness, organizers said.

The game will be held at in the East Gym at Brick Township High School. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. The cost is $3 per adult and $2 per student. Seating is limited, so arrive early.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can send it to PBA Local 230, P.O. Box 1067, Brick, NJ 08723, c/o Officer Richard Nelson Jr. Checks can be made payable to the “Helping Hands Fund”.

For more information, contact Officer Richard Nelson Jr., and Officer Robert Scelfo, at 732-262-1100 or Detective Greg Mullarkey at 732-262-1122.