Miracle Plunge a Big Success for CAF and Camp Moore
March 17, 2009 – March 14, 2009 started out overcast, the air was a brisk 40 degrees by noon, the water temperature was a chilly 38 degrees but the warm glow of charitable giving made for a perfect beach day.
 | You Don’t Have to Plunge to Help Fight Thalassemia!
Many of the “plungers” raised money using personal fundraising pages set up on Firstgiving.com. YOU can set up a page and help raise money for CAF – whether you’e making a plunge or not! Your personal fundraising page can be set up around an event like the plunge or a marathon – but it can also just be set up as a way to encourage your friends to support our efforts to find a cure and help those with thalassemia. Contact Alyssa Youngerman at (212) 279-8090 or a.youngerman@cooleysanemia.org for more information.
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Elks from all over the State, from Lake Hopatcong to Cape May, joined forces with the New York and New Jersey chapters of the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and raised over $60,000. The Elks Miracle Plunge II was an overwhelming success. (If you would like to donate, it’s not too late. Click here to go to the Miracle Plunge Firstgiving. com page.)
Sponsored by the South East District of the New Jersey State Elks Association and hosted by Belmar Elks Lodge #1997 the second annual Miracle Plunge took place at Fifth Avenue and the Ocean. The Borough of Belmar graciously provided the 5th Ave Pavilion; the Borough Water Rescue Team and the Emergency Medical Services to make sure all went smoothly. The New Jersey Marine Police were off shore to provide every precaution to guarantee the safety of the more than 130 Elks, family and friends of Cooley’s Anemia who braved the elements and “plunged” into the winter waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
An “après Plunge Party” took place at the Belmar Lodge; food was donated by Connelly Station Belmar; Valente’s Italian Deli, Wall; Anthony’s Pizza, Wall; Naples Restaurant, Spring Lake Heights and Cluck-U-Chicken, Eatontown.
Alicia Somma, a 24 year old Cooley’s anemia patient, thanked all who participated for their generosity and sense of caring manifested by the plunge. Alicia recently volunteered to take part in a Stem Cell Research Trial at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York. All in attendance were impressed by her courage and dedication to helping others. Events like the Miracle Plunge go a long way in raising awareness of thalassemia and the support provided by the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation (CAF). The $60,000 raised will be divided equally between CAF and Elks Camp Moore.
Camp Moore is the award winning sleep away camp in hills of the Ramapo Mountains and is the major project for the NJ Elks State Association. Over 650 children with various developmental needs are given a fun filled vacation away from home each season.