CLOSTER—The 8th Annual Joey’s Fund Charity Car Show went all out on Sept. 18, raising $13,500 for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center. This year, Joey’s Fund also donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Free to attend, the event at Closter Plaza in Closter featured a wide variety of classic cars, a DJ, trophies, food trucks, and many door prizes and giveaways — including jewelry, a flat-screen television, and a grill.
Joey’s Fund Inc. charity event coordinator Naureen Hussain told Pascack Press that trophies went to best car, best truck and for every decade, from turn of the century to date.
Special trophies were given in memory of loved ones and significant supporters of Joey and Joey’s Fund who have now passed. There were trophies given in memory of Fred and Janet DeCarlo, Joey’s grandparents who were big supporters; Joey DeCarlo; officer McDonald, who made it possible for Joey and his family to go to Disney through Make-A-Wish; and Laura Farago, who donated a lot of her time and worked for the fund.
They also had a Mayor’s Trophy, given out by Closter Mayor John Glidden Jr.
“We had a great turnout. Everyone was super excited and happy to come out. I’ve been receiving emails from attendees — one family said it’s the best car show they’ve ever been to. People really enjoyed it,” Hussain said.
Beyond the stylish and classic cars and powerful trucks on display, visitors showed they responded to the mission. “Oh yes, generously,” said Hussain. “As soon as Tony got on the mic and spoke about his son, Joey, and what happened to him, you could tell right away people cared and wanted to help pay it forward.”
Joey’s Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to easing the challenges that parents face when caring for a child suffering from a life threatening illness.
Since the charity was founded, it has raised approximately $100,000 in donations to help families pay uncovered medical costs, including insurance co-pays, prescription drug fees, lost wages, gas, tolls, parking, food and many other daily expenses.
Hussain said this year the event hit a mile mark of $50,000 to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center.
Tony DeCarlo, who founded the event in 2015 in honor of his son, Joey — who passed away in 1986 at the age of 21⁄2 after battling leukemia — told Pascack Press, “We had very generous donors who committed their money to help those have been adversely affected by medical debts, living costs, and more.”
Joey’s fund 9th Annual Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at Closter Plaza in Closter.
Don’t want to wait to do good for the cause? You can donate today. Any amount will help. Visit JoeysCharityFund.org or send your check to Joey’s Fund, 436 Hillcrest Place, Palisades Park, NJ, 07650.
For more information call Tony DeCarlo at (201) 481-5406.