IN THE NEWS

Vassar Elementary Delivers for Children with Cancer
By Cara Patterson of the Weekly Beat

As he watched first graders at Vassar Road Elementary line up for a photo, it was a bittersweet occasion for Chip McElroy. McElroy’s son, Ryan, was around their age when he lost a battle with cancer.

Ryan’s brave fight inspired his family and friends to start the Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation after he passed away seven years ago. Since then, the foundation has raised about $750,000 to help local families of children with cancer.

First grade teacher Ann Barnes was touched by the McElroys’ story after attending the foundation’s annual gala at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel in 2005.

“I was floored by all the good work they do. I wanted to be a part of it,” Barnes said.

Barnes decided on a “pocket change” fundraiser. She challenged all the classes at Vassar Road Elementary, a school of 440, to collect as many quarters, dimes and nickels as they could during the month of March. The class that raised the most to benefit cancer patients would win a pizza party sponsored by the foundation.

The students delivered, raising $1,900 and embracing the opportunity to help others.

“They cared,” said Barnes, whose class won the challenge. “The care and support that they showed me was outstanding. It’s a hardship for families to get treatment and they wanted to help,” she said.

McElroy and others from the foundation were on hand at the April 20 pizza party to express their appreciation.

“Children helping children – that’s really cool,” said McElroy. After his son passed away, “I had this major sense of urgency to do something,” McElroy said. “The only thing you want to do is focus on the child. But in reality, bills need to be paid,” said McElroy, who lives in Pawling with wife, Judy and their two daughters. McElroy owns two World’s Gyms and works part-time at the Dutchess County Sheriff’s office.

Unexpected medical expenses can wreak havoc on finances. The Make-A-Wish foundation, Vassar Brothers Medical Center and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center refer families in need to the foundation after exhausting other resources. In recent weeks, the Ryan McElroy Cancer Foundation donated $20,000 to three local families. The foundation also purchased a custom wheelchair for a boy from Poughkeepsie with dwarfism who’d had both legs amputated.

“He’s an incredible little boy,” said McElroy.

In addition, the father of a child with cancer who was staying at the Ronald McDonald House because he could not afford his apartment after covering medical expenses received two months’ rent from the Ryan McElroy fund.

Teeth for charity

Barnes’ first grade class raised funds by tapping some unlikely sources.

“I get $5 for my teeth. I lost six. That’s $30,” said Frederick Gentile.

“I just found change that my brothers (ages 4 and 1) throw around and from my dad’s pocket,” said Eric Zindler.

Alexa Loe found coins that her 2-year-old brother hid inside her shoes and added them to the class monies, she

said. She also took money from her piggybank, as did many others.

“I wanted to help people,” said Jayna Riguzzi, whose piggybank savings went into the coin jar..

McElroy was touched by their generosity. “It’s very heartfelt,” he said. “My son was around that age when we lost him.”

The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation hosts about five fundraisers a year, including an annual Gala of Hope in March, held this year at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie. It also holds a golf tournament in July and a wine tasting in August. Visit www.ryansfoundation.org for more information.