Hailey's Hope Foundation

Supporting Families in the NICU

HHF LOGO 2011.blue tag

POST EVENT PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 VIVA ITALIA FUNDRAISER RAISES OVER $20,000 –

OFFERING HOPE FOR NICU FAMILIES

Edward A. Diana Receives The Hailey Zion Memorial Award for Community Spirit

(Goshen, NY–October 19, 2011)  Hailey’s Hope Foundation’s Viva Italia Dinner Auction Fundraiser held on October 15, 2011 at Harness Racing Museum in Goshen was a great success.  Sponsored by Delancey’s Bar and Restaurant, the delicious food, beautiful setting, cocktails, exciting raffles and silent auction set the stage for a fun and memorable night.  Attended by 100 guests, the event raised over $20,000 to help NICU families in need at the Regional NICU at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester, and other local NICU’s, including the new Orange Regional Medical Center when it opens in 2012.

One of the many special moments of the evening was the presentation of the Hailey Zion Memorial Award for Community Spirit to Edward A. Diana for his commitment to serving the needs of the community.  His desire to share his time, talent and heart to help others are qualities that reflect the spirit of Hailey’s Hope Foundation.

Guests, Graig and Lauren McElroy, from Chester, shared their incredible NICU story and the significant impact that support from Hailey’s Hope Foundation has made on their family.  Their daughter, Kenley, was born prematurely at 24 weeks and spent over four months in the NICU.  “It was a very difficult time for our family, and we couldn’t have gotten through it without the help from Hailey’s Hope Foundation,” said Graig McElroy.

Hailey’s Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity established in memory of Hailey Zion, the niece of Goshen residents, Jeff and Debra Randazzo, who was born prematurely at 21 weeks and passed away shortly after birth.  Its mission is to help families with premature and seriously ill babies hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).   Since its inception in December 2007, Hailey’s Hope Foundation has raised over $350,000 and provided financial and emotional support to over 500 families.   “Having faced eight frightening NICU experiences, we know the challenges of having babies hospitalized in NICU,” said Debra Randazzo, Board member and Treasurer.  “It is an incredibly frightening, emotional and costly time and we want these families to know that they are not alone in this difficult journey.”

“We are very grateful for the outpouring of love and support shown to us,” said Jeff Randazzo, President and Founder of Hailey’s Hope Foundation. “The thoughtfulness of our community and the extent that people go to help others is truly amazing.”

For more information, to donate or volunteer, please contact us at (914) 584-8833, by email at info@haileyshopefoundation.org, or visit www.haileyshopefoundation.org.

CONTACT:

Debra Randazzo

Director, Hailey’s Hope Foundation

Phone: (914) 584-8833

Email:  info@haileyshopefoundation.org

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