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Michael's Feat has donated over
$150,000 to Monmouth and Ocean County NJ families who have seriously ill newborns.
Since October, 2004, almost
$70,000 has been raised to fund both a Family Resource Center at Monmouth Medical Center and programs to aid seriously ill infants at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.
Click here to read about how Michael's Feat has helped area families.
Following are examples of "Michael's Milestones":
Ongoing | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004| 2003 | 2002
Ongoing
- Recipient of the St, Clement Giving tree for three years.
- Christmas Gifts and Mother's Day gifts given annually to moms who have ill babies at the local NICU's.
2007
2006
- Thank you to the Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of the Jersey Shore. They sponsored a 50/50 raffle for Michael's Feat at the June Belmar Seafood Festival that
raised money for a
giraffe omni-bed for Jersey Shore Medical Center.
- Michael's Feat Helps The Most Fragile Babies -The Currie
twins were born at 25 weeks gestation on June 29, 2005. Michael's Feat took immediate action by supplying phone cards for the family to use as they kept in touch with friends and communicate with hospital staff. In addition, we donated a gas card to help defray the cost of the daily 60 mile round trip visit to the NICU. And, to help the parents keep their minds focused on their children, Michael's Feat provided food gift certificates for the Jersey Shore grill at the hospital. During such difficult times, parents often neglect themselves, to spend every moment with their child.
Erich, weighing only 1 pound 8 ounces at birth left the Jersey Shore NICU after five months and 1 week. Ashlyn never came home. She died on July 9th at the age of 10 days. (below are excerpts from Asbury Park Press, 12/13/05)
"A day after Ashlyn's death, they told us that Erich may not live through the night," remembers Erich's father, Walt Currie. "But two days later, Erich was still alive and I knew he was going to find a way. There were so many ups and downs. If Erich had a good day, we would celebrate."
Erich still faces challenges, challenges that will follow him for years. He was sent home with monitors and medications. But on this day, his parents are not dwelling on that.
As Kim and Walter hold their son on the day he left the hospital, there is only one thought in their minds, "Today is the happiest day of our lives", Kim Currie said.
- Financial assistance was provided to a family to purchase an adaptive stroller for their son who was diagnosed with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy.
- Financial assistance for a family with a premature infant born with a ventricular spetal defect (hole in the heart)
- Several car seats for preemies, cribs, bedding and clothing were donated through our program with the NICUs at both Monmouth Medical and Jersey Shore University Medical Center
- Respite care was provided for many families, allowing parents to rest uninterrupted, while Michael’s Feat provided nurses to assist throughout the night hours.
- Michael's Feat provided gas cards to assist families with the burden of traveling to and from the NICUs and to and from Children's Hospital in Philadelphia
- Dana Puharic selected as one of the Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts, Inc. 2006 Women of Distinction. Click here for details.
2005
- Michael’s Feat raised $50,000 to fund the Jersey Shore University Medical Center Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit program. Click here for more details.
- Infant twins born at 3lbs, 8oz and 3lbs, 12oz received the royal treatment at Monmouth Medical Center. Being several weeks premature, they struggled with many health issues. Once the boys were 7lbs, they were permitted to go home. Mom was thrilled when Michael’s Feat provided 2 car seats with specially designed headrests for the babies to travel home.
- Michael’s Feat purchased a stroller and 2 infant swings for use in the Monmouth Medical Center NICU. The nurses find these items especially useful, because it helps them care for the many babies who have much longer stays.
- Middletown Newcomers Club selects Michaels Feat as 2006 Charity.
Click here for more details.
- Dana Puharic wins the Martin Luther King Unsung Heroine Award honoring a Monmouth County Community Member for outstanding contributions to Monmouth County. Click here for more details.
- Purchased respite care for the family of a five-month-old diagnosed with a terminal cancerous tumor. For Mother's Day weekend, Michael's Feat sent this special infant, parents and two older children on a family vacation.
- Provided funding for special formula for a military family's premature twins.
Click here for more details.
- Funded respite care for parents whose baby was diagnosed with terminal chromosome disorder.
- Purchased two car seats for premature twins.
2004
- Selected as the Northern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Organization of the Year.
- Michael's Feat to create a Family Resource Center at the Monmouth Medical Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit. Funding in the amount of $18,500 was donated by the Amerigo Vespucci Society.
- Recipient of $1,100 from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) Bowl-a-thon.
- Monmouth University Student Government Association (SGA) auctions for Michael’s Feat.
- Recipient of the NMCC Holiday Gala Gift Tree.
2003
- Battleground District of Monmouth Boy Scouts packed over 150 overnight bags.
- Recipient of the “Hoops for Humanity” charity basketball tournament., at Memorial Middle School in Fair Lawn NJ, (Puharic's alma matter) Members of the Volunteer America committee at Memorial Middle School developed a community outreach program, the “Starfish Project". The committee used the “Starfish” as their symbol because of its reference to a traditional legend about a young child who makes a difference in the world.
- Recipient of $7,000 in proceeds from the Long Branch Rotary Club's 1st annual charity golf outing.
- The Puharic Family was highlighted in the May edition of the St. Barnabas System’s newest magazine, “Monmouth Health and
Life.”
- Monmouth University Student Government Association (SGA) holds auctions for Michael’s Feat.
- Recipient of proceeds from Keyport Kiwanis Club Lobster Fest.
2002
- Students from Montclair University produced and edited a public service announcement (PSA) which were shown on our local cable channels.
- Held first awareness campaign focusing on premature infants.
- Volunteer Brenda Bents makes over 300 handmade blankets for our overnight bag program.
- Regional Newborn Center nurse Patricia Templeton, made 20 isolette covers made for the NICU at Monmouth Medical. Pat received money from Michael’s Feat to support this project.
- Recipient of proceeds from the Pot Holders-R-US project (a 2nd grade class in Keyport) who sells pot holders for local charities.
All donations are tax deductible.
The Michael Gerard Puharic Memorial Fund, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.
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