ABERDEEN – A mother’s love for her daughter who died of an inoperable brain tumor continues to flourish as she spearheads charitable efforts to benefit local children who are battling their own ailments.
“I’m just a mom who knows what those parents are going through,” was the sentiment expressed by Wendy Levy, whose family will serve as the host to its annual bake sale at AMF Strathmore Lanes, 1061 Route 34, Aberdeen, from Dec. 14-16. The event will benefit a local children’s charity and a child in medical need in Monmouth County.
Levy said residents of all communities are welcome to stop by the bowling center to support the effort. The bake sale will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Dec. 14; 1-8 p.m. on Dec. 15; and noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 16.
In 2003, Levy’s daughter, Jamie, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Following the diagnosis, Levy said Sanzio Salon in Aberdeen, a beauty parlor she would frequent, held a “cut-a-thon” to assist the family with medical expenses.
Fifteen months after she was diagnosed, Jamie passed away at the age of 6, three months after graduating from kindergarten.
Drawing inspiration from the support the family had received, as well as from her son Joshua’s bar mitzvah “good deed” project in which he fulfilled two wishes for children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Levy said her family and friends began hosting bake sales to raise money for children in medical need and for local children’s charities.
Sanzio Salon hosted the charity events for 10 years, Levy said.
“The owners had such a good time that they always said ‘let’s do it again next year,’ ” she said. “(The owners) always said, ‘we will give you our space while we are doing business.’ ”
This year, Strathmore Lanes will host the charitable effort, she said.
“Our family received a tremendous amount of support from family, friends and the community during our time of greatest need. We, in turn, have become deeply passionate about giving back to those who volunteer their time, especially to those children who are in medical need,” Levy said.
Funds raised from this year’s bake sale will go toward the Kortney Rose Foundation, a charity that specializes in pediatric brain tumor research, and to the family of a 4-year-old girl from Middletown who is battling a serious illness.
“We keep our ears open for the right situation,” Levy said in answer to the question of how an individual is selected to receive assistance.
A portion of the bake sale proceeds will also go toward the Jamie Levy Memorial Scholarship for Volunteerism and Community Service. Levy said the scholarship was created in Jamie’s name in the year she would have graduated from Matawan Regional High School.
“The purpose of the scholarship in her name is to recognize high school seniors who go above and beyond the pursuit of academic excellence and give selflessly of their time to help others who are less fortunate,” Levy said.
Humbled by the support of her community, Levy said, “I’m not a foundation, I’m just a parent.”
She said that in 11 years, the fundraiser has donated almost $60,000 to charitable and worthwhile causes.
Students from Matawan Regional High School are volunteering to bake, wrap and sell baked goods. Levy said individuals who would like to volunteer to bake and donate cakes, cookies and candy may contact her at wendy.s.levy@gmail.com.
