To the editor:
The Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation held its holiday party for volunteers and supporters recently.
At the center of the party was the Joanie Christmas tree, which was placed on Joan’s former table in a tent built on the D’Alessandros’ patio to accommodate the overflow of almost 80 guests.
Children crafted ornaments to decorate the tree. Other highlights were live music, dancing, and a photo booth. A video was shown of the most recent Joan’s Joy Child Safety Fest.
A child safety advocate spoke, and I related a quote by Nobel Peace Prize award-winner Bishop Desmond Tutu, expanding it to say that if you encourage or help someone else you also encourage yourself.
The entire party showed unity in that people were doing good for one and another and in doing so doing good for themselves.
Food was donated by Wegmans, Market Basket, Cousins Pizza, Casa del Sol, Della Cucina, Domani Ristorante Italiano, and Nino’s Pizza.
Joan’s Joy recently donated 10 aromatherapy diffusers to Youth Consultation Services Foundation Holley Child Care and Development Center in Hackensack. The calming scents will help the older children relax in their temporary home, easing behavioral issues.
It also just donated 13 digital music players to the young children living in YCS Davis House in Newark
Daisy Troop 8301 is collecting coats for Joan’s Joy to be donated to the children at the YCS Holley Center and Davis House.
Joan’s Joy also is raising money to send 45 children from the Holley Center to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. We’re seeking donations of $55 to pay for each of the tickets.
To donate—and to put a smile on a child’s face—visit joansjoy.org/donate.php or mail your gift to the Joan Angela
D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation, 45 Florence St., Hillsdale, NJ 07642.
Thank you all.