Charity Spotlight
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Jenna O’Toole
During this season of good cheer and generosity, we like to feature folks in our area who give their time, talents, energy and resources to those in need. And our community is certainly filled with generous people who expect nothing in return other than knowing they make a difference in someone’s life. For over 20 years, the folks at the “J” Foundation have been providing assistance to local families with terminally ill children. What began as a kind gesture by one man to help a critically ill young boy and his family has grown into a team of board members and volunteers dedicated to providing families in need with financial support, adaptive equipment, counseling services and celebration of life events. The “J” Foundation was founded by Jamie Panetta and named in memory of Joseph (Joey) Novelli, a six-year-old boy with
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
December 2021
“J” Foundation Board Members front row (L to R): Alicia Cabrelli, Lisa Panetta, Jenna O'Toole; back row (L to R): Neale Boyle, Joe Amicone, Steve D’Antonio, Jeanne Curran; Not pictured Tim Wallace, Sue Carroll, Tom Millison
an inoperable brain tumor. Jamie worked with Joey’s mother, Patty, who was caring for Joey and his two siblings. Jamie saw how Patty struggled to manage her job, her household and mounting medical bills while caring for her sick child. He knew he needed to do something to help. Jamie, a Havertown native, Cardinal O’Hara High School graduate and Executive Chef, rallied his friends and family to serve up the first annual Joseph Novelli benefit dinner. The fundraiser was a big success! Although there was nothing they could have done to save Joey’s life, the donations from the dinner allowed Joey’s family to spend quality time with him, free from financial stress. Unfortunately, Joey passed away in his mother’s arms shortly after that first benefit event, but Jamie was determined to keep raising money for other families with terminally ill children. For a few years following Joey’s passing, Jamie and his team hosted the annual Joseph Novelli benefit dinner, and proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society and the palliative care program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). But Jamie wasn’t finished just yet. While helping families with terminally ill children, he learned that very few government resources were available to financially support these families. He recognized that more needed to be done, so in 2002, Jamie formally established the “J” Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, in memory of the little boy who had made a big difference in his life. Since that time, the “J” Foundation has provided close to $1 million in assistance to hundreds of local families with terminally ill children. Jamie Panetta was dedicated to helping others. All the love and kindness he gave over the years was returned to him when he faced his own terminal cancer diagnosis in 2016. Jamie passed away in June of that year, surrounded by his family and friends. They remain committed to continuing Jamie’s vision and legacy, by providing the best quality of life for children who are facing life-limiting illness and their families. Jamie’s wife Lisa said that it feels good to continue the work that Jamie was so passionate about. “Our entire team is 100%
