Kids with Chronic Illness at Winthrop University Hospital Receive Love Over Valentine’s Day from Homes By Mara & Ashley Wade

Mineola, NY; February 21, 2017— Homes By Mara Realty of Syosset Owner and President Mara Navaretta was recently joined by 14 of her REALTOR agents to help lift the spirits of children suffering chronic illness spending Valentine’s Day at Winthrop University Hospital. After collecting approximately $500.00 over the last few months to support Ashley Wade of Massapequa Park, Founder of Ashley Wade Foundation, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of children with severe illness at Long Island hospitals, and her mission to bring cheer to children staying at Winthrop University Hospital this Valentine's Day, Navaretta and her agents used the funds they collected to purchase various items that included socks, pajamas, Chapstick, Play-Doh kits, pencils and crayons to join Wade in showing their love and support for children with chronic illness staying at Winthrop University Hospital during Valentine’s Day week.

Navaretta and her agents placed each of the items they purchased into special Valentine’s Day goody bags they assembled that were accompanied by their personalized handwritten notes, which were distributed by Wade and Homes By Mara Agent Janet Vogt to children at Winthrop University Hospital’s Pediatric Wing, where the children were also treated to a pizza party provided courtesy of Wade and Homes By Mara.

“As a mom of a 12-year-old-daughter, my heart goes out to children braving chronic illness, many of whom often spend their holidays in the hospital,” says Navaretta, who has supported Wade and her Ashley Wade Foundation on several occasions, including its winter holiday Jake’s Jammies pajama drive. “When I asked Ashley about other ways we can help support her and her organization’s mission and learned about her desire in wanting to spread cheer to children in the hospital this Valentine’s Day, it was with great pride that Homes By Mara delve head on in supporting this heartfelt effort in every step of the way – from our monetary collection, purchasing of items, goody bag assembly, goody bag distribution to the children at the hospital and contributing to the children’s pizza party. Having seen the children’s smiling faces really put Valentine’s Day into perspective and made it the holiday that much more memorable for all for all us.”

Wade says she is thankful for the tremendous support she continually receives from Navaretta and her team. “My heart is full of gratitude for Mara’s and her agents’ ongoing support and generosity,” says Wade, who started Ashley Wade Foundation in 2012 after being diagnosed in 2010 with Crohn’s Disease at the age of 17. “Mara and her agents put so much thought, love and passion into purchasing items for the Valentine’s goody bags, their assembly and their distribution for these remarkable, courageous children at Winthrop University Hospital. Their efforts brought happiness to these children and captured the essence of what Valentine’s Day is really about. I feel so fortunate to have Mara and her agents as partners with the Ashley Wade Foundation and its ongoing mission in spreading cheer and hope for children battling severe illness in hospitals on Long Island.”

Winthrop University Hospital was most appreciative of Wade and Homes By Mara’s support and contribution for its children patients. “The continued support of the Ashley Wade Foundation and the new support of Mara and her Homes By Mara agency have been a wonderful addition to this year’s Valentine’s Day Celebration here on the Pediatric Floor,” says Nicole Almeida, M.S., CCLS, Child Life Program Director, The Children's Medical Center at Winthrop University Hospital. “It is through groups such as these that we are continuously able to provide a sense of normalcy to our patients and their families throughout their stay here at Winthrop. Being in the hospital for any length of time can be difficult, especially around the holidays. The Valentine’s Day goody bags and pizzas allowed both the patients and their families a sense of normalcy and fun, in an often scary and intimidating environment. We deeply appreciate such a generous donation that lifts our patients’ spirits and brings countless smiles to their faces.”

The Valentine’s Day charitable initiative and party that Navaretta and her agents participated in is part of The Ashley Wade Foundation’s ongoing monthly hospital parties for children braving chronic illness in Long Island area hospitals.

Founded in 2012 by Ashley Wade after being diagnosed in 2010 with Crohn’s Disease at the age of 17, the Ashley Wade Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children suffering from chronic illnesses. The Foundation fulfills its mission to bring happiness, hope, and support to children and families affected by chronic illnesses through various initiatives and programs that include its Superstar Program, Care Packages, Hospital Parties, Family Fun Days, Jake’s Jammies, and ER Packages. For more information about Ashley Wade Foundation, visit http://www.ashleywadefoundation.org/

Homes By Mara is a boutique real estate agency spearheaded by licensed broker and real estate veteran Mara Navaretta. Featuring a team of highly-skilled and trained agents, Homes By Mara specializes in servicing North Shore’s residential market on both the selling and buying sectors. Located at 30 Berry Hill Road in Syosset, NY, the agency offers convenience and a turn-key solution in accommodating all real estate needs by sharing its office space with the law firm, Navaretta & Howard LLP. Navaretta and Howard, LLP has a special focus in real estate law and provides counsel and representation for all Homes by Mara agents to assure the homeowner receives quick and accurate answers to legal questions that may arise in the course of today's real estate transaction. Also available is a concierge service that consists of recommendations for every trade associated with the real estate industry including movers and contractors. For more information about Homes By Mara, please call 516-364-2500 or visit www.homesbymara.com

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PHOTO CAPTION 1: Pictured next to the Valentine’s Day goody bags that they assembled containing various items they purchased for children braving chronic illness at Winthrop University Hospital’s Pediatric Wing over Valentine’s Day at in conjunction with the Ashley Wade Foundation are Homes By Mara Realty of Syosset, NY President and Owner Mara Navaretta (second from right, front row) with some of her agents and Ashley Wade of Massapequa Park, Founder of Ashley Wade Foundation (third in from right, front row). The goody bags purchased and provided by Homes By Mara’s Navaretta and her agents were distributed by Wade and Home By Mara Agent Janet Vogt (fifth from right, front row) to children suffering severe illness at Winthrop University Hospital’s Pediatric Wing just before Valentine’s Day, where the children were also treated to a pizza party courtesy of Homes By Mara and Ashley Wade Foundation.

PHOTO CAPTION 2: Pictured are some of the items that Homes By Mara Realty of Syosset President and Owner Mara Navaretta and 14 of her agents purchased for creating Valentine’ Day goody bags that they recently assembled and distributed to children with chronic illness at Winthrop University Hospital’s Pediatric Wing over Valentine’s Day in conjunction with Ashley Wade of Massapequa Park, Founder of Ashley Wade Foundation, to lift the spirits of children battling severe illness who were spending their Valentine’s Day in the hospital.