MANASQUAN — As part of the Ashley Lauren Foundation’s latest work, a new backyard playset with swings has been given to a young Brielle resident battling cancer.
Since its inception in 2005, the Ashley Lauren Foundation Hope and Help for Children with Cancer works hands-on to provide financial, material and emotional support and assistance to local families.
Jason and Roberta [Beta] Bitzer and their son James, 3, of Manasquan, were given a new playground swing set for their backyard, which was one of James’ wishes that the foundation worked to fulfill.
Originally from the area, Mr. Bitzer moved with his family to Hawaii 20 years ago to professionally surf and work as a lifeguard first responder/EMT on the North Shore of O’ahu.
When the Bitzer family received the news about their son, they moved back to New Jersey from Hawaii to seek further medical attention from specialists. Due to the specific nature of the disease, they wanted to seek treatment on the East Coast.
“When a child has cancer their immune systems are compromised, so it’s difficult for them to go to different places where there’s a lot of people, a lot of children…” said Monica Vermeulen, founder/CEO of the Ashley Lauren Foundation.
The foundation was able to provide the swingset due to the generosity and donation by Jim and Marlene Marturano, owners of MRC Recreation playground equipment supplier, and Dave Guzman of Park Builders in Jackson Township for the installation of the swingset on their property.
“I sell playgrounds for a living … We wanted to bless the family and Monica agreed that a playground would be a wonderful idea,” said Mr. Marturano.
The donation of this playground is a part of the foundation’s Making dreams come true program, which fulfills the desires of the children the foundation supports.
“In addition to all of the financials and such, material needs, emotional, we have programs for birthdays for each child and then we have ‘making dreams come true’ and that’s kind of where we fit the swingset into that program,” said Ms. Vermeulen. “Things such as this, not a birthday or a Christmas gift or bills being paid, but something special that the child might really want or has always wanted.”
The playground was installed about two weeks ago now, and James is thoroughly enjoying playing on it, according to Mr. Bitzer.
“He really wanted to swing … he really wanted that enjoyment, that’s when we said OK, we will get one and bring one to you,” said Ms. Vermeulen.
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