(Up)Beat (Up)Date
Fun fact: the Joe Andruzzi Foundation was founded (according to the IRS) on May 22, 2008, which is also my birthday. As you all know, I did not celebrate my Sweet 16 this year; instead, I celebrated 45 years of life. I tell people that JAF is the best(est) gift I ever(ah) received for my birthday.
No words can express the pride I have in sharing that JAF has reached another new milestone: 16 years in operations to remove financial barriers for New England cancer patients and their family members. When reminiscing about our early conversations around starting a Foundation – should we do it, what are our goals, will we be able to make a difference? We don’t have to think too long before we answer those questions. The number one answer is that, as of now, JAF has granted more than $11 million in assistance to over 40,000 patients!
As you can imagine, we are so glad we followed our hearts and decided to ‘pay it forward,’ as Joe likes to say, back in 2008. While we wrap up JAF’s anniversary month, we want to share our gratitude for every (current and former) staff member, Board of Directors, volunteer, and donor who was a part of our story. JAF’s success is because of you!
Lastly, a BIG thanks to everyone who donated to our Sweet 16 Day of Giving! We are SO CLOSE to our goal. There’s still time to give in these last days of May by making your gift HERE!
Yours truly,
Jen (and Joe) Andruzzi
Proud Co-Founders of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation
P.S. The summer is shaping up to be filled with lots of opportunities to connect with JAF! Be sure to check out our calendar of events and opportunities to participate that are right around the corner: next up is the Joe Andruzzi & Friends Golf Tournament, where you can purchase a tee sign to showcase your personal or company brand, grab dinner tickets to hear this year’s tourney mission story and network with peers, participate in the (online) auction, and much more!
Food Security Program Reaches $1 Million Milestone
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) celebrated providing $1 million in assistance through our Food Security Program on April 30 with a very special event with our partners at Boston Medical Center (BMC).
Joe and Jen Andruzzi, along with JAF’s Programs team, surprised patient Angel Wagner of Beverly, MA, with a $1,000 gift card to officially mark the Foundation reaching $1 million in assistance. Angel, who is undergoing treatment at BMC for lymphoma, warmly expressed his gratitude to JAF:
“I really appreciate the Joe Andruzzi Foundation for this program. For me, this help has been wonderful. They have helped to pay some bills and food. Having this help has made me feel more comfortable and allowed me to continue treatment.”
The Food Security Program presented by Amplix has helped more than 4,600 New England cancer patients since its inception in 2021. Patients receive gift cards to one of five grocery stores throughout the region in amounts relative to their family size. These gift cards meet an immediate need and allow the patient recipients access to nutritional food while in treatment.
Champions Circle: Another Reason to Join – Corporate Giving is Important for Employee Retention
Whether your company supports local community groups or international relief organizations, it’s important to your employees. According to Double the Donation, which manages the largest matching gift database in the industry, 54% of employees who are proud of their company’s contributions to society report being engaged in the workplace. As a result, these individuals are much less likely to leave their employers.
This matters. As a business, you want good employees to stay. It is cost-effective and often improves your work culture by boosting morale, which is critical to high-performing companies. And when your company is “doing good,” share it with your employees. They’ll appreciate it more than you know. Better yet, get them involved.
To learn how your company and its employees can engage with JAF or become a Champions Circle Member, reach out to barbara@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
Golf’s around the corner! Reserve your tee signs and dinner tickets soon!
The 16th Annual Joe Andruzzi & Friends Golf Tournament, presented by Frankie’s International Bistro/Apotho Therapeutics, will return to Black Rock Country Club on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Becoming a Tee Sign Sponsor is an excellent opportunity for a business or family to support the Joe Andruzzi Foundation and get recognized on the course.
Supporters are invited to join us later in the day for the cocktail reception, program and buffet dinner. Purchase dinner tickets today! Also, you can get in on the fun by participating in our tournament games and auction. The Helicopter Ball Drop, Chance Prize Drawing, and Silent Auction will be available soon!
Save the Date: Annual Gala is October 10
JAF is excited to announce we are returning to Gillette Stadium for our Annual Gala on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Guests will experience one of Gillette’s newest venues – the G-P Atrium, surrounding the iconic lighthouse. This year’s signature event will look and feel a little different as we ‘re-imagine’ the JAF gala experience, but you can be sure it will be filled with the mission moments and fun you’ve come to enjoy!
If you or your business would like to sponsor this magical evening, please contact Nicole Anderson, VP of Foundations and Corporate Partnerships, at Nicole@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
Exciting things are happening with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation’s Young Professional Council! With a focus on increasing involvement and engagement, the YPC is working hard to connect young professionals with our mission of helping families in need.
Interested in learning more? We encourage you to attend the first YPC mixer, which will take place Thursday, June 22, at Capo Restaurant in South Boston from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event will include the opportunity to mix and mingle with like-minded young professionals and hear directly from a patient recipient. Apps and a cash bar will be provided.
For more information about the mixer or how you can get involved, please contact YPC’s volunteer leader Nicole Hartley at YPC@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
Discover the Impact and Visibility as a JAF Sponsor!
Partnering with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) as a program or event sponsor can help raise visibility for your business and make a meaningful impact in the lives of cancer patients. One sponsorship opportunity currently available is Team JAF’s Falmouth Road Race taking place in August. This will put your brand in front of 40 dedicated runners, their supporters, and the broader JAF community. For more information about this and other ways your organization can directly help cancer patients in your community, you can CLICK HERE to access more information or email Nicole Anderson at nicole@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
