(Up)Beat (Up)Date
As we enter this Thanksgiving season, our hearts are filled with profound gratitude for each of you—our donors, corporate partners, healthcare allies, and friends. We are grateful for your time, treasure, and the transformative impact you create by supporting our mission. Your generosity has become a lifeline for many, giving hope and the potential to change health outcomes in ways that words alone cannot express.
Here at the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), we are blessed with the opportunity to bring relief and optimism to those who need it most, and for that, we are thankful each day. Our team is honored to stand with you in this mission, working together to make a difference for families facing the financial burdens of cancer.
As we gather with loved ones this month, let us all take a moment to practice gratitude for our many blessings – whether they come in the form of family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, freedom, or prosperity. Let’s also remember those for whom even the simple blessing of food on the table is uncertain. JAF’s Food Security Program, proudly sponsored by Amplix, is now in its third year, having granted over $1 million to patients since its inception. Through this program, we strive to ensure that no family facing cancer will go without food on their table.
As we close the year, we invite you to join us in this spirit of giving. On December 3, Giving Tuesday, JAF will seek to bring ‘Comfort & Joy” again. Please consider a gift that will offer stability and a bridge to wellness for cancer patients in your community. In a world that can often feel topsy-turvy, cancer patients feel that instability more intensely than most. Let’s reassure them that they are not alone and that help is at hand. Thank you for being an essential part of our JAF family.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jen Andruzzi
President and CEO
JAF Delivers Hope at the Holidays
Next Monday, November 25, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation community will gather at our offices in North Attleboro to pack up Thanksgiving Baskets of food and deliver them to more than 60 cancer patients and their families in Southeastern MA, and Northern Rhode Island. Since 2002, we have been a Charity Partner of Personal Best Charity and local businesses such as our Presenting Sponsor North Easton Savings Bank and new sponsor this year Castro, Thresher & Oliveira to help local families in need. Food insecurity remains a tremendous challenge for cancer patients while going through treatment. It is our hope with this annual event and our generous partners and sponsors, JAF will continue to put healthy and hearty meals in the homes of families at the holiday season.
There’s still time to make your gift! All contributions will help supplement or allow JAF to make additional baskets for more patients!
Give Comfort & Joy to Patients this GivingTuesday!
Join JAF and Bob’s Discount Furniture this GivingTuesday on Tuesday, December 3, to support New England cancer patients and their families!
Thanks to our friends at Bob’s, all GivingTuesday donations made to JAF will once again be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000! Also, Bob’s will give a brand new mattress to a JAF patient recipient for every $5,000 raised (up to 10 mattresses total)!
So, mark your calendar and make this GivingTuesday a day that matters to cancer patients in your community by contributing to JAF!
Team JAF: Let’s Hear it for Hartford!
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) was excited to participate again as an official charity partner for the 2024 Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, Team 26.2 Relay, and Charity 5K. This year, we had three athletes representing JAF: Bill Donovan (5K), AJ Ricciuti (Half Marathon), and Gillian O’Brien (virtual 5k). Together, the team raised more than $1,500 in support of JAF’s mission! Congratulations, Team JAF, and thank you!
Holiday Hop Over at Ravenous Brewing
When: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Ravenous Brewing Co., Cumberland, RI
Tickets: $50/per person (includes one (1) drink ticket and light bites)
Hop on over to Ravenous Brewing and join Joe, Jen, and the entire JAF team for an evening of holiday cheer! Your $50 ticket includes live entertainment, light bites, one (1) complimentary beverage. The first 30 ticket holders will receive a commemorative Well Told pint glass! Try your luck in our Chance Drawing for stunningly decorated themed trees (that hold lots of gift cards, products, and goodies!) sponsored by local businesses – perfect for adding holiday sparkle to your home. Let’s make this season merry and bright for cancer patients together!
We’re still looking for creative businesses or families to become one our exclusive Tree Sponsors! As a sponsor, you will commit to decorating a table-top sized artificial tree with products and/or gift cards valued to total at least $100. These gorgeous trees are part of our Chance Drawing with all proceeds benefiting local cancer patients. Bonus: Prize for the best tree! Contact Molly Kate at mollykate@joeandruzzifoundation.org to become a sponsor or get more details!
Champions Circle brings together companies that are committed to helping neighbors, colleagues, and friends going through a cancer journey when they need it most.
Our most recent Champions Circle “Networking for a Cause” event was a wonderful success! Thank you to Evviva Trattoria, Champions Circle member, for welcoming all our guests to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation Dining Room. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with each other and make new friends.
Pictured above: (left) BayCoast Bank’s John Gonet and Dan Crowell pose with Joe Andruzzi and (right) JAF’s Young Professional Council members Kyle Santorine, Jack Conway Realtors, and Sam Brewer, from ACS, Inc.
If you would like to learn more about how to become involved with JAF’s Champions Circle, contact Barbara Foley at barbara@joeandruzzifoundation.org or visit JAF’s website.
Party with Purpose this Holiday!
This year, why not bring a new twist to your holiday celebrations and make a difference for those facing the financial strain of a cancer diagnosis? Any gift, large or small, can create a lasting impact for New England patients and their families.
When hosting a party, have you ever thought about also supporting a cause?
- Request donations at the door: Make entry donations part of the fun.
- Add a silent auction or raffle: Offer festive prizes that also help raise funds.
- Serve a signature ocktail: Donate a portion of each specialty drink to charity.
- Book the Joe Andruzzi Room at Evviva Trattoria in Wrentham, MA, where part of every booking supports JAF.
Interested in collaborating or have questions? Reach out to Hunter Andruzzi Hunter@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
Holiday Helpers Project
This holiday season, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation is looking for motivated students who would like to help local cancer patients and their families with everyday expenses.
The holidays are especially difficult for cancer patients, worrying about their health and affording their treatment while attempting to celebrate the holidays as normally as possible with their families. With added expenses for treatment and sometimes reduced income, finances don’t always allow for that.
Through Project 800’s ‘Holiday Helpers’ Program, students can bring more cheer to the lives of cancer patients and their families. Ideally, classrooms, entire grades, or schools can participate and commit to raising at least $800 to support a family this holiday. Funds raised go towards paying rent/mortgage, utilities, food, and other basic needs, allowing patients to celebrate the season more merrily. Groups can raise money through penny/coin drives, bake sales, or other creative ideas!
To learn more or to enroll your students or youth group, please contact Hunter at hunter@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
Welcome, Jeff and Meinca!
We’re happy to introduce you to JAF’s newest team members – Jeff LaValley and Meinca Pinchinat!
Jeff is the Annual Giving Manager who will lead our Bridge Builders program, annual giving campaigns, and new donor relationships.
Meinca is the Program Coordinator who will support across all assistance programs and operations.
We’re so glad to have them on our team!
