2020 Ellen Gambatese Volunteers of the Year

Walter Cmielewski

I have been volunteering with Hugs for Brady for over 5 years. I look forward to all of the Hugs for Brady events every year! I am happy to volunteer because it’s my way to give back to the community to help raise money for such an important cause. The Hugs for Brady charity is important to me since I have had people close to me struggle with cancer and thankfully survive! We all need to come together and fight this! Favorite Quote “Every picture tells a story.”

Reisa Diamond

I have been volunteering for the Hugs for Brady Foundation for 8 years. This cause is important to me because my son has spent many months in the hospital, and we have seen many children battling illnesses but by far most often cancer. I was moved to try to change that. Favorite Quote “Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” – Linda Wooten

Michelle Hoffmann

Executive Assistant Being a volunteer since the foundation’s inception is very special to me. Hugs for Brady holds a very special place in my heart, not only because of my special relationship with Sherrie and Mike but because it makes me realize that my problems could never compare to the heartache and hardships that oncology families have to endure. Money, success, and prestige mean nothing if you don’t have a happy, healthy family to share it with. The least I can do is donate some of my time and effort to families who really need our help. Favorite Quote “Soon we must all choose between what is right and what is easy.” – Albus Dumbledore

Anne Keller

I have been volunteering for HFB since it’s inception. I volunteer because no parent should ever have to lose a child. We live across the street from Mike and Sherrie and remember Brady very well. He was the sweetest and happiest little boy, and all of us on the street miss him. Cancer is ugly no matter who it affects, but it’s even worse when a child has it. Favorite Quotes “I brought you into this world and I can take you out! ” – MY MOTHER! “She believed she could, so she did.”

Cora Park

Eradicating childhood cancer should be top of mind for one and all. Volunteering at their special events or assisting an event committee helps do that for me. I have been volunteering for the Hugs for Brady Foundation since 2016. Favorite Quote “You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression.”

Joanne Scott-Santos

There is nothing more heartbreaking than to see a small child suffer, having been diagnosed with cancer myself I know firsthand what this entails. Working with this great organization to help eradicate this disease is a most worthy endeavor and I am proud to be a part of it. I pray for a cure in my lifetime and Hugs for Brady is a mighty warrior in this fight. I have been volunteering for the Hugs for Brady Foundation for the past 3 years. Favorite Quote “She was powerful not because she wasn’t scared but because she went on so strongly despite the fear.” – Atticus

Linda Van Derveer

The loss of a child is unthinkable for most of us, so when I heard how Sherrie and Mike took their tragic loss of Brady and turned around to create a loving and caring organization that helped others dealing with children with pediatric cancer, I knew I had to make time to help. I had worked at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey for nearly 8 years and saw first hand what patients, their families, and friends dealt with on a daily basis; something we pray we never have to deal with. I have been involved with the Hugs for Brady Foundation for over 5 years. Favorite Quote “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

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