The Johnny M Foundation Holds Second Annual Fundraising Gala

Ribbons Express Sponsors Event to Complete Purchase of "Johnny's House," A Home for Cancer Respite Patients

2012-09-26

CHERRY HILL, NJ, September 26, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Johnny M Foundation (www.johnnymfoundation.org), an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children whose families face adverse circumstances, is sponsoring its annual gala fundraising event to benefit "Johnny's House."

The gala is Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., at the Westin Hotel, 555 Fellowship Rd., Mt. Laurel, NJ. The gala is named after Johnny Murabito, Jr. who died unexpectedly while on vacation in Orlando, FL, in November 2005. He was three years old. This year's gala will feature silent auctions, live auctions, gift baskets, a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and music by Don't Call Me Francis. Purchase tickets by calling Nita Dranoff at (856) 857-6228 or visit http://www.johnnymfoundation.org.

The goal is to purchase a second "Johnny's House" in Orlando in cooperation with the For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. The For Pete's Sake foundation helps give adult cancer patients, their caregivers and loved ones a break from the medical turmoil with a vacation in a secure and comfortable environment.

The Murabito family created the Johnny M Foundation in 2010 to honor the "Five Year Angel Anniversary" of their son. In addition to creating a "Johnny House," the foundation works to help less fortunate children experience activities that enrich their recreation and social outlets. Among these activities are building ball fields, camping trips, and educational enrichment programs. Other recent projects include building a toddlers playroom and creating a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed room at the Ronald McDonald House in Southern New Jersey.

"Words can't express how touched we are by the support of the community for this worthy cause to support our foundation and the loving memory of our son, Johnny," says founder John Murabito. "We are fortunate that by building a home in cooperation with the For Pete's Sake foundation, we can offer a place of happiness and peace for families dealing with the extreme stress of cancer.

Last year's inaugural event was a huge success, with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dancing, martini bar, silent auction prizes (25 premium items), outstanding top-shelf live auction items, a contest to win a pair of 3.2 carat diamond hoop earrings, a 50/50 raffle and an iPod Touch2 drawing. At the end of the evening, the guests released balloons in the air for what would have been Johnny's ninth birthday and sang "Happy Birthday" in the evening's tribute to Johnny Murabito, Jr.

Last year's gala raised more than $114,000.00, which enabled the foundation to purchase the first "Johnny's House" in Orlando. For Pete''s Sake is forced to turn many applicants away due to lack of availability, and John Murabito hopes this event will help raise funds for an additional home, giving more cancer-stricken victims a chance for a vacation with their families. Though John Murabito, the founder of Cherry Hill, NJ-based Ribbons Express and his family live and work in southern New Jersey, Orlando was Johnny's final vacation destination. "With a Johnny's House in place, families facing major medical challenges can enjoy Orlando as much as my son did," says Murabito.

Contact: Tom Peric
856-874-0049
tom@thegalileo.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Wild Birds Unlimited Helps Prepare Birds for Winter: How to Attract Winter Birds

2012-09-26

Most people are unaware that not all birds fly south for the winter. In fact, some of the most colorful and lyrical song birds, including jays, woodpeckers and chickadees, stay in the same area throughout the entire year. Wild birds use a variety of techniques to stay warm during the cold winter months; however, while they are equipped to withstand most winter weather, survival can be made easier by providing food, a heated, open source of water and protection from freezing temperatures with natural plant cover or a roosting box. These are only some steps to take in order ...

Pennsylvania "Just Drive" Initiative Seeks to End Distracted Driving

2012-09-26

Distracted driving caused more more than 14,200 Pennsylvania car accidents in 2011, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation estimates. Tragically, the lives of 58 people were lost in these devastating accidents. PennDOT is now taking steps to stop distracted driving in the state with its "Just Drive PA" initiative. The campaign hopes to encourage Pennsylvania drivers to concentrate only on driving when they are on the road and to refrain from other tasks like texting or eating. The PennDOT secretary indicated that the new "Just Drive" ...

Inspections in California Find Nursing Homes Guilty of Resident Neglect

2012-09-26

The California Department of Justice conducted a series of surprise inspections of nursing homes across the state. The investigations spanned over a two year period, beginning in January of 2010 and ending in March of 2012. Inspectors reported findings of "unacceptable nursing care" ranging from accusations of home staff providing residents with the wrong medication to other instances of staff completely neglecting the residents. Neglect of nursing home residents not only causes heartache for those who expect the nursing home staff to provide care for their ...

Obama's Deferred Action Program and How It Impacts Deportation

2012-09-26

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has shifted gears. As stated on the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) website, the new direction of the agency focuses on "public safety, border security and the integrity of the immigration system" by aiming resources toward removal of "individuals who pose a danger to national security or a risk to public safety." Instead of a broadly sweeping deportation program, the agency is attempting to focus on those individuals that are most likely to pose a threat to citizens. ...

Taxes May Have Increased for Some Even Without Affordable Care Act

2012-09-26

During the heated controversy that gripped the nation in the summer of 2012 as the U.S. Supreme Court deliberated over President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, emotions ran high on both sides of the complex issue. Supporters of the new health care law praised the legislation as an important step toward making health care available to those who need it most, while opponents questioned the constitutionality of the law and criticized it for putting financial strain on businesses and taxpayers in an already difficult economic climate. In a decision nearly as controversial ...

BKD to Present at Missouri Independent Bankers Association Conference

2012-09-26

BKD Forensics & Valuation Services, a division of BKD, LLP, is pleased to announce that Angela Morelock will be presenting at the 2012 Missouri Independent Bankers Association Security Conference. Her presentation, "Internal Bank Fraud & Embezzlement: Schemes & Scams in an Economic Downturn" will focus on symptoms bank management should watch for & how banks can better protect themselves. Morelock leads BKD's forensic accounting and investigations team, providing fraud investigation and prevention, complex litigation support and forensic accounting ...

Steve Giovinco Included in Fine Art Photography Museum Exhibition "The Kids Are All Right," Opening 9/30/12

2012-09-26

Contemporary family life and couples are the subject of Steve Giovinco's fine art photographs, which are included in a museum exhibition called, "The Kids Are All Right." The show opens September 30, 2012 at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The exhibition focuses on the shifting nature of family and changing role of contemporary photography, and includes major contemporary fine art photographers and video artists such as Catherine Opie, Steve Giovinco, Patty Chang, David Hilliard, Ryan McGinley, Tierney Gearon, and others. Steve ...

Tutors International Warn of Discrepancy Between Official Worth of IGCSE Results and Perceived Worth

2012-09-26

It has recently been reported that pupils in many UK state schools are electing to sit the IGCSE instead of regular GCSEs [1]. Since the formation of the IGCSEs it has been widely understood that the courses have remained challenging, unlike the GCSEs. Educators and parents have long held the view that that the IGCSE is 'worth' more than a standard GCSE, due to the difficulty of the exam. In fact, until July 2011, the issuing body, the Cambridge International Exam (CIE) Board, reported in official literature on its website that grades obtained in the IGCSE should be ...

Annual Artlightenment Artist Showcase 2012 to Feature Artist Marlene Rose

2012-09-26

Marlene Rose is an award-winning glass sculptor, internationally known in museums as well as top art and glass galleries. Her works are collected by the glass cognoscenti, by fine-art collectors and Hollywood A-list celebrities. This year her work will be featured in the annual Artlightenment artist showcase in Nashville, TN at the Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre. Because creating glass is physically demanding—and dangerous—Rose is one of few women who choose this medium. Adding to the difficulty, she searches junkyards for objects that can be transformed ...

Bestselling Author Ana Maria Sanchez to Host First Annual Manifesting Celebration

2012-09-26

On the first anniversary of the release of her bestselling self-help book, Girl from the Hood Gone Good, Ana Maria Sanchez will offer a free vision board and manifesting party for her Heal Your Life Meet-up Group, which has surpassed 500 members. The event will be held on September 28, 2012, at the Village Court Plaza, 4546 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA in the State Farm Conference Room This event is a joint celebration to honor the anniversary of her book release and in recognition of surpassing 500 members in her meetup group, a milestone which has been achieved by ...

The Johnny M Foundation Holds Second Annual Fundraising Gala

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: