For more than two decades Bobby Thomson was a devoted friend and spokesman for Tomorrows Children’s Fund (TCF) at Hackensack(NJ) University Medical Center.  He was a frequent visitor to the young patients who were fighting cancer but also assisted the foundation in so many of its fundraising activities. 

Mr. Thomson promoted  the  ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ posters and other sports memorabilia marking his famous game-winning home run.  He was a frequent host at TCF galas, golf events and sports dinners delighting all in attendance.  Mr. Thomson’s gentle spirit was appreciated and felt by all whose lives he touched. 

“Bobby was a true friend to Tomorrows Children’s Fund,” said David Jurist, president of TCF.  “We could always count on Bobby to bring a smile to a child’s face or to help us in any way needed.  He was an original and will be truly missed.”

This will be our Seventh Annual Walk to Remember

Kaitlyn Jennifer Papkin. Sometimes it seems like yesterday that Kaitlyn was running around and laughing, and other times it seems that she has been gone for so long. We miss her terribly and we hope to give her short life on earth a purpose, aside of course from bringing her family and friends so much love and happiness. We feel so lucky and blessed to have had her in our lives. Kaitlyn was born on December 26, 1996 and died on December 11, 2003, just 15 days short of her 7th birthday from a rare brain tumor (diffuse pontine glioma). So, with this walk we hope to always remember our girl and also to bring aware-ness to this devastating disease that took Kaity away from all of us. We want to try and raise money to help other children with this most rare brain tumor. If we keep trying, maybe we could play a small part in finding a cure. Obviously, it will take more than just the money we make from this walk but at least we would know that we all contributed to a most rewarding cause, in honor of Kaitlyn Jennifer Papkin.

TCF is so very grateful for the recent Shave Your Head fundraiser sponsored by the Paterson Firefighters Association.   These courageous firefighters gathered friends and family as well as area sponsors to raise $5,592.00 for the young patients at Tomorrows Children’s Fund.  Their donation will make a difference in so many young lives.  Thanks!

The event was a huge success. Thank you so much for all your support. Over $1,500 was raised for Tomorrows Children’s Fund.   We appreciate all your efforts!  Great job!

Mark your calendar and start training!

Registration is now open for the 15th Annual Bergen Bike Tour, which is a family-oriented event that benefits the Volunteer Center of Bergen County and Tomorrows Children’s Fund. The goal for 2010 is to Ride for a Million – to reach the $1 million mark in total funds raised over the past 15 years for the benefiting charities.

The Bergen Bike Tour will be held on Sunday, September 26 and will feature 10, 25 and 50 mile routes for cyclists of every level. The tour begins and ends at Darlington Park in Mahwah, and features a special Kids’ Ride, barbeque, clowns, face painting, crafts, music, games, prizes and more.

Riders can pre-register in one of three ways -

1) Register online at www.bergenbiketour.org

2) Download and print a registration form at www.bergenbiketour.org and submit by mail

3) Call 1-877-BER-BIKE.

All registered riders who raise $100 or more will receive a free Bergen Bike Tour t-shirt and are eligible to win prizes up to $1,000 in value.

New for 2010 - every registered rider will receive 5 silicone Bergen Bike Tour bracelets to give as a thank you to friends and family who support their ride with a donation to the Bergen Bike Tour.

Sponsors are welcome for this unique event, which draws about 400 participants each year. Major sponsors of the 2010 Bergen Bike Tour to date include TD Bank; Apax Partners; Eisai; Columbia Bank; Hackensack University Medical Center; Inserra Supermarkets; Murphy, Miller & Baglieri, LLP; Sharp Electronics Corporation; Topline Products Co., Inc.; Withum Smith+Brown Global Assurance; The Chatterjee Charitable Foundation; Doherty Enterprises, Inc.

“Each year, the Bergen Bike Tour turns over an average of over 80% of the event’s proceeds to the Volunteer Center and Tomorrow’s Children”, says Phil Murphy, chairman of the event. “This is a rate that far surpasses many events of this kind, and we are very proud of our philanthropic efficiency. We are optimistic that with corporate and community help and participation, we can exceed that in 2010.

Mark your calendars for Sunday September 26th.” “Difficult economic times have really hit our benefiting charities hard,” continues Murphy. “The programs and services they provide to children, the elderly, people with disabilities and families in crisis are in jeopardy, unless we find community minded sponsors, and encourage generous donors to support the efforts of our riders.”

Tomorrows Children’s Fund was established by loving parents seeking help and relief for their desperately ill children, in association with physicians committed to providing the best possible care. The Fund addresses the critical needs of families facing the anguish of childhood cancer by providing a warm, healthy and loving atmosphere for children in treatment; a wide range of services to relieve emotional and financial stress; state-of-the-art medical care; and funding for research on childhood cancer and serious blood disorders.

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County works with more than 600 public and private non-profit agencies in and near Bergen County that value and need the services of volunteers. The Volunteer Center links individuals, groups, organizations and corporations with rewarding volunteer opportunities that fit their interests, abilities, schedules and locations, while allowing them to make a difference in the community by addressing serious social concerns such as hunger, literacy, poverty, and the needs of children, the elderly and disabled. The Volunteer Center operates a home repair service for the elderly and disabled, which in 2009 served 1,600clients and performed over 4,000 repairs, at no cost to the clients, except for parts used. The Volunteer Center also sponsors two mentoring programs in which caring adults are friends, role models and mentors to abused children and parents in need of guidance and support. Last year, over 300 children and adults participating in these programs were helped by mentors.

Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500 and up. Corporate sponsors at the level of $1,000 or more includes registration of an unlimited number of employees at no extra charge. All riders are expected to enlist support of at least $100 for individuals or $200 for families. Prizes will be awarded for top fundraisers. For further information about corporate sponsorship or organizing a group to participate in the Bike Tour, call 877-BER-BIKE, or visit the website at www.bergenbiketour.org

The Fiscella Family, in honor of their daughter, Angelica, have joined hands with TCF and organized their philanthropy to help alleviate the financial and emotional burdens endured by families affected by pediatric cancer. Together we will keep all our families moving forward. Stay tuned, for “Kidscansurvive” fundraiser, more information to come regarding event this fall 2010!

The Ridgewood NJ High School Maroons Softball team went to bat for the young patients at Tomorrows Children’s Fund.  The team came together to support our foundation and raised over $3,000 during their season of games.   They have plans to continue helping us during the next school year and hope to encourage more teams within their school as well as surrounding high schools to join them and start their own campaigns.  Great team spirit – thanks girls!  

Join TCF and take your family out to the ballgame.  TCF has tickets for a baseball game – Newark Bears vs. Somerset Patriots on Saturday, August 7.  Game time begins at 7:05 p.m. in the Newark Bears Stadium.  Great seats, good parking and family fun.  Following the game enjoy the fireworks.  Tickets are $10 each and available at TCF.  Contact us at 201-996-5504.

Have Our Back For Cancer is a freelance fundraising group dedicated to raising funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations that help people who are dealing with cancer.  We are fortunate to have the gift of a healthy and happy life! In order to channel something positive from our many gifts, we created a freelance fundraising group called Have Our Back For Cancer (HOBFC). HOBFC is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations that help people who are dealing with cancer. We believe that HOBFC will foster a renewed purpose in our lives and the lives of others!

We compete in a variety of fitness events ranging from simple walks to intense triathlons. There are many wonderful nonprofit organizations associated with cancer causes, so for every event we participate in, we will choose a new foundation to represent. 

The Ridgewood Run will take place on May 31st 2010.  We have chosen Tomorrows Children’s Fund as charity recipient for this event.  All proceeds that we raise for this event will go directly to Tomorrows Children’s Fund.  To donate to TCF online go to https://atcfkid.ejoinme.org/MyPages/HaveOurBackforCancer/tabid/213758/Default.aspx

Thank you for your generous donation to our cause.  We appreciate your support.

Once again, our good friends at Go 4 the Goal fulfilled the dreams of a young TCF patient.  Laura loves to dance and has recently taking guitar lessons because of her idol Taylor Swift.  When Laura’s Child Life Therapist shared that she was having a tough time with treatment and that Laura wanted to see Taylor Swift we went into action.  The recent show was totally sold out but our great friends at Go 4 the Goal did what they do best – they were able to get tickets for Laura and her family to attend the show.  This was Laura’s first concert and something she will never forget – her smile tells it all!  Thanks Go 4 the Goal – you really work magic!