Since 2002, the Voorhees-based Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation has worked across the nation to provide activities, programs and events to enhance the quality of life for teens with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
With such a focus on the wellbeing of teens, perhaps it’s only fitting that now, 13 years later, the non-profit itself has officially become a teenager.
On Nov. 13, the ARVF will celebrate a milestone year with its 13th Annual Birthday Bash from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin.
The event will feature a cocktail reception, top-shelf open bar, basket and silent auctions, a sit-down dinner, awards, music and dancing, with proceeds going toward funding for ARVF’s many Victorious-4-Teens programs.
AVRF was founded 12 years ago after Alicia Rose DiNatale, daughter of Gisele DiNatale and Voorhees Deputy Mayor Mario DiNatale, passed away from cancer at the age of 17.
As Alicia was treated in the hospital, she was often disappointed there was no specific space designated for teenaged patients to pass the time.
Upon Alicia’s death in October 2002, her parents chose to honor her memory by founding the ARVF with a goal of installing a “teen lounge” at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where Alicia underwent chemotherapy treatments and procedures for about a year.
That one teen lounge inspired more across the country and, over time, inspired teen activity kits, teen libraries, pizza party nights, and even teen and young adult prom events for teens who would otherwise miss their prom due to time in a hospital.
Foundation co-founder Gisele DiNatale said 13 years is a telling number as the group is based, supported and funded on such a local level in the South Jersey community, yet still able to impact children and teens across the country.
“There’s just so many places to give to and charities and research and money out there, and just to have awareness in the pocket of giving that we do has been great, and it’s been an honor to survive and raise funds,” DiNatale said.
DiNatale credits the ARVF’s continued success to the niche group it serves and keeping focus on that mission from 13 years ago.
“Really, the biggest thing my husband and I as co-founders that we’re so proud of is that we were able to stick with a mission,” DiNatale said.
One area where that continued mission can be seen is in the growth of the number of teen kits ARVF ships every year, which DiNatale describes as bags filled with items such as cards, games and crafts designed to comfort teens during their time in hospitals.
“We ship at least 2,000 a year to any teen that has cancer or a life-threatening illness, and the requests for those have really increased quite a bit since the early years where we were only doing 20 or 25 a year,” DiNatale said.
This year Jason Ravitz, vice president of retail operations for Ravitz Family Markets has been named 2015 “Victorious” Community Champion” for the event.
In continuing his family’s tradition of philanthropy, Jason serves as a board member of the Ravitz Family Foundation and helps to grant funds to non-profits and community groups that aid children and families in need. He also serves on the business advisory board for the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation.
DiNatale said it was still remarkable to her that ARVF has been able to last for all these years, and it’s something she knows her daughter would have loved.
“We tie it back to our daughter, and we know her hand is all over this and she would have been 30 this year, and we know that would have been a real milestone for her and she would have loved to have been a part of this,” DiNatale said.
Those interested in tickets to the birthday bash, which cost $130, the event’s 50/50 raffle or simply donating to the birthday bash should visit www.arvf.org/tickets-goods.
