• Home
• Events
• Donate
• Counseling Program
• Family Funds
• Testimonials
• Contact

Family Funds

What is a Family Fund?
Family Funds were created in 2006 due to multiple inquiries regarding individuals who wanted to set up their own non-profit Foundations. When a new Family Fund is created, that family/individual is able to organize and execute their own fundraisers. A family fund is built on the concept of people helping people to improve the quality of life in the time of diagnosis.

How to Contribute
To make a tax deductible contribution to any of our Family Funds please make a check payable to The Footprints in the Sand Foundation C/O the __________ Family Fund & mail it to us at the following address:

The Footprints in the Sand Foundation
100 Paragon Drive Ste. 250
Montvale, NJ 07645

You will receive from us a letter recognizing your contribution & making you aware of the tax benefits. We are in touch with all of the Families who have Funds & they receive updates from us on the contributors. Should you have any questions regarding our Family Fund program please contact us at
(201) 505-9710 or email us at info@footprintsfoundation.org.

How Does it Work?
The monies raised from those above mentioned fundraisers are then deposited into a separate account we call a Family Fund. This process frees the family/individual from dealing with the daunting administrative tasks while giving the donors the peace of donating to a non-profit organization. The monies that are accumulated in these funds must be used for needs that fit into the Foundation's corporate charter (see bullets below).

• PLEASE NOTE: There is a one-time set up fee of $500 and an annual fee of $500 which will be charged to your fund on the fund's annual anniversary. The set up fee will be charged to your account once your fund reaches $2,500. All fees are directly deposited into the Footprints general grant pool to be used to support similar tragedies. Family Funds must maintain a balance of $2,000.

What's next?
Please complete and submit a Grant Application and the Family Fund Agreement. A Footprints representative will contact you upon receipt of your application.

Important Donor Information:
Under the IRS rules, the final distribution of any donation is to be determined by the Foundation. We will make every effort possible to abide by the donor's request(s).

Our Current Family Funds

(Click on a fund name for more information; click again to hide.)

• The Blaik and Shaun Stanley Family Fund

  Sadly, Patty Stanley, of Montvale, NJ passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 after a previously undetected brain aneurysm ruptured. We have set up a Family Fund for the benefit Patty's two young sons, Blaik and Shaun, to help with future expenses.

  If you would like to contribute to this fund please make checks payable to The Footprints in the Sand Foundation c/o Blaik and Shaun Stanley. Mail to The Footprints in the Sand Foundation, 100 Paragon Drive, Ste. 250, Montvale, NJ 07645

  If you have any questions please contact us.

• The Rizzuto Family

  In April 2006 Jeff Rizzuto was diagnosed with large cell lung cancer, a fast-growing cancer that required immediate and aggressive treatment. He had a large tumor on his left lung behind his heart, and the cancer had metastasized to his lymph nodes and bones, including his ribs, sternum, spine and skull. Through a series of radiation treatments as well as the strongest chemotherapy in existence Jeff's cancer went into remission in October 2006, a miracle considering the initial prognosis. In December 2009, we found out that Jeff's cancer was back and had to once again endure radiation on his left hip as well as dialysis treatments three times a week. Sadly, in May 2010 Jeff succumbed to the disease that had taken over his life for so long. The Rizzuto Family Fund is set up for the benefit of Jeff's two young sons.

• Mike Schneider Cancer Survivors College Family Fund

  Mike's siblings and his long time friend together with the Footprints in the Sand Foundation have formed the Mike Schneider Cancer Survivors College Family Fund.

  The donations that accumulate in this fund will go to help cover the cost of college tuition for Mike's two children (Mike 17 and Brenden 15). As they prepare for college, the boys' needs will be great, but with your help this fund will take some of the financial burden off of the family.

  Once that goal is met, the funds collected will then be given out as scholarships to either children cancer survivors themselves or children of parents who have died from cancer. Umbrellaed by Footprints in the Sand Foundation but directed by the family and friends of Mike, this fund is a testament to Mike and the legacy he is leaving behind.

  The Second Annual Mike Schneider Golf Outing will take place on Friday, September 10, 2010 at The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge. The event was a huge success last year and we hope to follow it up with an even better event this time around. If you are interested in participating please email info@footprintsfoundation.org.

• The Culvert Family, Alison Culvert

  A letter from the Culvert Family (Jan 4, 2010):Dear Footprints,
  Alison has made a miraculous recovery. It will be one year in February since the accident. Since then, Alison has overcome all of her injuries and endured exhausting physical rehabilitation to get to where she is today.

  We are all so happy that Alison is making a wonderful recovery and will be able to go back to college at the beginning of the new year.

  She will be attending Ramapo College, pursuing her degree in education. The Culvert family would like to thank everyone who has helped us along this long road to recovery. Without the support of family, friends, the community, and Footprints in the Sand, none of this would be possible.

  Sincerely, The Culvert Family

• Jamie Glaubach-Schiavo Family Fund

  Jamie Glaubach-Schiavo was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in November 2003. Over the past 6 years, she underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and oral chemotherapy. Never complaining or asking for much help of any kind, Jamie, a single mother, cared for her two young children while remaining positive and hopeful.

  Sadly, in December 2010 Jamie lost her battle with cancer after a long & courageous fight.

  It is the family's hope and mission to raise funds for the benefit of her two young children.

• The Cortazzo Family Fund

  John Cortazzo was a Port Authority K-9 Police Officer who was involved in helping out at Ground Zero after 9/11. He was a Board of Education member for the Montvale Public Schools, and was a beloved member of the community. Above all, he was a loving husband to his wife Patti, and a proud father of two wonderful children, 15-year-old Gianna, and 12-year-old Anthony.

  In the summer or '05, John was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or Pre-Leukemia. This is a rare blood disorder that occurs as a result of improper development of blood cells within the bone marrow. That December, John began intensive chemotherapy treatments and received a Bone Marrow transplant. His recovery was slow, due to rejection and various complications. John underwent 2 hips replacements, and finally seemed to have turned the corner. He and his K-9 German Sheppard, Senna, had just recently gone back to work in modified positions. Life seemed to be returning to a new "normal."

  Sadly, in 2009 tragedy struck again, and John contracted an infection that his body could not fight. After a long and heroic battle, John passed away.

  The Cortazzo family is so used to doing for others in our community for the last 11 years, that they rarely allow anyone to help them. This fund has been set up to help defray upcoming college costs for Gianna and Anthony, as well as other expenses Patti and the kids might need help with.

• The Guss Family Fund

  After a long and courageous battle, David Guss passed away in 2009 with his family by his side.

  His wife, Jennifer, is very grateful for the support she is receiving from the Montvale community and wants people to know just how helpful their support has been during this difficult time.

  Thank you for your continued support of this wonderful family.

  The donations collected to date in the Guss Family Fund and any future donations to the Guss Family Fund will be used by Jennifer at her discretion, in accordance with our bylaws, for family expenses.

• Jeff Roland, The Sullivan Family Fund

  Jeff Roland, an incredible 43 yr old brother, son, uncle and friend was diagnosed with a very aggressive lymphoma. He entered the hospital for treatment and had a severe reaction to one of the chemo medications (it happens 3% of the time). He was in a medically induced coma for 5 weeks, with a horrible prognosis but miraculously, (doctor's words) after being told 4 different times to say goodbye, Jeff woke up and with much ahead is still with us.

  He is still suffering from severe complications and had to undergo a corneal transplant and intense physical therapy to walk without help again. Jeff is a great person and a true friend; he is thoughtful and giving and he is fighting this disease with everything that he has. Jeff still has a long road ahead of him and his medical bills are just incredible but we are confident that he will beat this.

  Jeff s sister Doreen Sullivan, of Montvale, together with her family and the Footprints in the Sand Foundation have set up the Jeff Roland, The Sullivan Family Fund to help defray Jeff's medical expenses.

• The Personette Family

  CJ came home May 30, 2008, he couldn't walk even with his brace due to right sided paralysis. The family couldn't go on their usual camping trip so they instead took CJ's grandmother's house on Brant Beach LBI for a week in July and another week in August. The beach patrol had to bring their big wheels chair with balloon tires because that was the only way to get CJ down to the beach and water. A year later CJ was able to walk back and forth to the beach without a brace or cane. His right leg supports his walking so he's not paralyzed anymore and he's started writing with his right hand again, he was switched to lefty which also helps him talk. His memory improves and continues to get better and he's in 10th grade on a modified plan. But healing takes time and at age 16 we have plenty of time to see how God heals CJ. So far he's beaten any expectations we could have had for him. We have surrendered to whatever time and measure it takes to heal him.

• The Mikulski-Allen Family

  Patti has recently been diagnosed with Scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. It is generally classified as one of the rheumatic diseases, and can affect internal organs.

  An estimated 300,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with Scleroderma. While there is no known cure for Scleroderma, its symptoms can be treated.

  Patti's condition requires a kidney transplant. In addition, she will need ongoing medical care to manage her associated symptoms.

  Further information about Scleroderma can be found at these sites: www.scleroderma.org and www.sclerodermaresearch.org

• Hedrick Family Fund

  Ronald Hedrick was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer at age 22. He was informed on June 3, 2011, by Mount Sinai Medical Center, that they have basically exhausted all their options. Ronald has recently begun treatment with a very well-known holistic provider in Texas. This family fund has been set up to help defray the cost of using a holistic provider, which is not covered by any insurance carriers. If you would like to contribute to this fund please make checks payable to The Footprints in the Sand Foundation c/o Hedrick Family Fund & mail to: The Footprints in the Sand Foundation, 100 Paragon Drive, Ste. 250, Montvale, NJ 07645 or click here to make a donation online.