5 minute read
"J" Foundation Inc. ...A Cause for Kids
Charity Spotlight written 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.
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.
Runners at the start of the annual “J” Foundation 5k
Jamie’s wife Lisa said that it feels good to continue the work that Jamie was so passionate about.
Lisa explained that the foundation recently donated to Brave Gowns, an organization that provides bright, fun and lively patterned hospital gowns to kids who have been diagnosed with cancer. She is also proud of their recent collaboration with St. Christopher’s Hospital, to build a Neonatal “Relaxation Room” for new parents and their babies.
As the “J” Foundation grew, so did the opportunities for others to join their mission. One event in particular really knocked it out of the park. Jake Arrieta, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, heard about the “J” Foundation and invited them to his luxury club box for a home game. Jake covered the cost of the tickets, food and drinks and Jenna said that they were able to invite two families in need.
Enjoying a Phillies game with families in need
Jenna O’Toole is the “J” Foundation’s Communications Director. She is also Jamie and Lisa’s niece. "What I love about our foundation is that we are able to help these kids and families who live right here in our community,” she explained. “We recently donated an iPad to a child with renal disease so he could stay connected with his school teacher, classmates and friends during his treatments. And we also provided a little girl suffering from seizures a special chair called a tomato sitter, which allowed her to safely sit at the dinner table with her family."
The foundation also partners with CHOP’s palliative care team to provide parents and siblings with unique necklaces engraved with their loved one’s thumbprint or handwriting.
Jenna said that to qualify for financial assistance, the child and their family must reside in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware. They must also be referred by a social worker, nurse, caseworker or healthcare professional who's currently familiar with the child and their family. And the family must be experiencing financial difficulty as a result of expenses related to the life-limiting illness.
The application process is easy. Lisa explained that healthcare professionals refer patients and their families to the foundation by completing an online application.
Once the application is approved, funds are sent directly to the specific type of need, whether to the mortgage company, landlord, contractor for medically necessary home improvements, funeral home, or paid towards transportation costs.
In recent years, the folks at the “J” Foundation have held golf outings and family fun runs to raise money.
Last year, the pandemic did derail their plans for their annual 5K, but they are planning to lace up again this coming spring.
Both Lisa and Jenna said that they are always looking for volunteers to help with their events and to help spread the word about the “J” Foundation. For more information on getting involved, visit their website — www.JFoundationInc.org — or like their Facebook page @TheJFoundation.
“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
