When
the 60 year-old resident of Ringwood, NJ, learned that his
13-year-old grandson was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome,
he decided to help find a cure by fundraising in this unconventional
way.
On that unusual morning, approximately
45 friends and family gathered at New Jersey’s Sussex County Airport to support
Tom both emotionally and with donations in Derek’s
name to the NephCure Foundation.
The plane departed just after 10
a.m. and, minutes later, the crowd cheered as Tom jumped
out of the plane, securely fastened to the instructor. Everyone
watched as he safely glided back down to the ground.
Mountains of hoagies and refreshments
were offered to friends and family before, during and after
the jump. Guests
also took part in a raffle with the hopes of winning one
of the fabulous prizes being given away.
An enormous THANK YOU goes to all those who contributed
food and refreshments including:
- Whimpies for donating 1 3ft hoagie
- Geppetto’s for donating
1 3ft hoagie
- Luigis for donating 3 hoagies
- Reservoir Deli for donating 3 hoagies
- Dunkin’ Donuts for donating
4 dozen doughnuts
Another giant THANK YOU goes to all the organizations and
people that donated prizes for the raffle including:
- Croda Inc for donating 4 Yankee tickets valued at $300
- The NY Giants for donating an autographed poster of Eli
Manning
- The NY Devils for donating an autographed puck
- Debbie Rowett for donating a wine gift basket valued
at $100
- Platex for donating a banana gift basket
- Corrato’s Market for donating
a fruit basket valued at $50
- Shop Rite of Oakland for donating gift cards
- Stop and Shop of Ringwood, NJ for donating gift cards
- R&R Restaurant for donating
gift cards
A final THANK YOU goes to all those who have supported Tom
Mills, Derek and their family. |
