Luke Neuhedel Foundation Announces Annual Fundraiser LUKEFEST 2005 for Children with Cancer in the US
LUKEFEST 2005, the annual fundraiser for the Luke Neuhedel Foundation, takes place Saturday July 16, 2005 in Seaford, NY. Proceeds from the event directly help children being treated with cancer in the US.
(PRWEB) July 12, 2005 -- The Luke Neuhedel Foundation holds its annual
fundraiser LUKEFEST 2005: "Believe in Miracles" on Saturday July 16, 2005 at
Maria Regina School in Seaford, NY from 12noon to 4pm. LNF volunteers hope to
raise $20,000, which will be directly granted to children fighting cancer in the
US and their families to help with expenses related to treatment of their
life-threatening disease. Funds will be raised through donations at the door and
raffles.
LUKEFEST 2005 is the Sixth Annual Event for LNF. This year's
sponsor is Applebee's Restaurant, which will provide food. This year's
entertainment includes: Quackerjack of the Long Island Ducks Championship
baseball team, Sparky from the New York Islanders hockey club, Sandy from the
Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team, Skateosaurus from United Skates of America,
Massapequa magician John Lepre, Long Island caricaturist Deborah Gary, the
well-known Nick the Balloonatic, Long Island's favorite clowns Paddy &
Paddycake, performances by the Jacto Dancers of Massapequa and the Maria Regina
Band, and more. LUKEFEST is a family-fun event with rides, games, arts and
crafts, food, cotton candy, sno-cones. Suggested donation for adults is $15, and
$5 for kids. Funds will also be raised with 25 raffle baskets filled with great
prizes, including celebrity-autographed items, a Grand Prize, and more. A list
of prizes offered can be found at www.lukefund.org.
The Luke Neuhedel Foundation was
founded in 2002 in memory of Luke Neuhedel, who died at age 3 from
hepatoblastoma. LNF's mission is to improve the quality of life for children
with cancer through education, research, and aid to families. Aid provided by
LNF helps families meet their everyday expenses, pay for medical treatment,
including experimental treatment, and for the extras kids fighting cancer
deserve to create happy memories with their families. ALL LNF work is
accomplished by volunteers; LNF pays no salaries or benefits, to make sure that
all funds raised go to the children who need it.
LUKEFEST began in 2000
to celebrate Luke's life and the miracle that he was still living with his
cancer after a year. Luke stunned families and friends by being alive for
LUKEFEST 2001. In 2002 LUKEFEST became the annual fundraiser for LNF. Community
support for Lukefest grows each year; in 2005 LUKEFEST is supported by over 100
businesses in New York. LNF President, Rebecca Neuhedel (and Luke's mom), looks
forward to the day LUKEFEST is an annual family event in more states than New
York. "LUKEFEST makes a difference to the families that attend, to the children
with cancer who come and enjoy a day of fun outside a hospital setting, and
especially to the volunteers, who see firsthand the impact they have, and who
usually have the most fun," Dr. Neuhedel says.
LUKEFEST involvement is
not restricted to those who live near the event on Long Island. ANYONE can be
included in the raffles. Raffle prizes are listed at www.lukefund.org and
instructions on mailing in for raffles using a check or calling 516-882-9183 and
participating using a credit card are posted on the website. And, of course, LNF
accepts donations in any amount at any time. Unfortunately the number of
children diagnosed with cancer is increasing -- more children in the US are
diagnosed with cancer than diabetes, AIDS, cystic fibrosis and congenital
anomalies COMBINED.
The Luke Neuhedel Foundation also provides other
programs for involvement, especially for schools, scout groups, churches, and
other interested groups. To learn more see LNF at www.lukefund.org, call
516-882-9183, or contact LNF at PO Box 137, Massapequa Park NY 11762.
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