Long Valley's Annual Corn Maze Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The corn maze at Ort Farms in Long Valley is more than just a seasonal attraction.

For years, Ort Farms has leveraged the maze to highlight a local organization, designating it as their beneficiary of choice.

This year, the 2024 Corn Maze is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. This disease, which primarily affects women, begins in the cells of the breast. Early detection greatly enhances treatment success, potentially saving many lives and reducing the impact of the illness.

The local farm has teamed up with Long Valley Hopes, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local women and families impacted by cancer.

"We are excited to show support for this local non-profit helping local families," Ort Farms said on social media when announcing the upcoming design.

Although summer weather may still linger, the corn maze will open for visitors on Labor Day weekend and stay open throughout the fall season.

The corn maze supports Long Valley Hopes' mission to offer financial assistance to local residents and families impacted by cancer and other serious illnesses. Additionally, the organization works to engage with the community, providing education and resources on cancer prevention and care.

The organization is led by Denise McCrone Sabo, a mother diagnosed with breast cancer in her thirties. Confronted with the requirement to raise over $1,000 in pledges for a popular 3-day "Walk for Breast Cancer," she realized that those unable to meet the fundraising goal would be excluded.

This realization inspired her to establish her own event, "Hope Opens."

The first two "Hope Opens" were hosted at Mine Brook Country Club, while the third and fourth events took place at Apple Mountain Golf & Country Club.

"They were informal events; foursomes and prizes were written down on bar napkins. Friends and family turned out to support me in my quest to help others so they didn’t have to worry about finances when they were fighting for their lives," McCrone Sabo wrote on Long Valley Hopes' website." I wasn't that organized, but with the help of many friends and family members, we always made money. We gave the money directly to the families that needed it."

Long Valley Hopes was officially established as a nonprofit in 2022 to continue the work of "Hope Opens," according to McCrone Sabo.

Ort Farms is located at 25 Bartley Road in Long Valley. Click here for more information about the events and here for tickets.