Cedar Grove Parents Team Up for Fundraiser

Parents at Cedar Grove's North End and South End schools have come up with a unique way to not only raise money for the American Cancer Society, but to raise awareness and provide a day of fun activities for local children.

They’ve agreed to team up with Little Falls-based Snapology of Northern New Jersey on Saturday, March 2, to host a “Family Fun Day” of building activities for children from 12 to 6 p.m.

There will be a $10 charge to participate, with half the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

Melissa and Paul Skabich of Cedar Grove are organizing the event and partnering with Donna Meccia, also of Cedar Grove, who opened Snapology of Northern New Jersey in November 2012.

Snaology, located at 195 Paterson Avenue
in Little Falls, is a franchise that aims to combine play and education to teach “math, science, technology, engineering and literacy concepts using Lego™ bricks and other similar building tools.”

“I am very excited because it's going to raise money and people will learn about us,” said Meccia.

The event will have building contests for different age groups with prizes, crafts, snacks and drinks and a candy buffet.

“A lot of local friends from Cedar Grove have pitched in with gifts or cases of water or juice boxes and candy,” said Melissa Skabich. “Everyone has really been pitching in and it's great to know so many local folks are helping with the cause.”

The Skabich’s are no strangers to American Cancer Society fundraisers, having participated in several marathons and half-marathons with the society's Team Determination.

“Last year my husband and I raised $5,000 from individual donations,” said Melissa Skabich. “We wanted to continue in 2013, so this year we were thinking about ways to get our kids involved.”

American Cancer Society fundraisers have really hit home for the family since Paul's mother recently passed away from cancer.

The couple ran in her honor in Philadelphia on Nov. 18, before she passed away just one month later.

“We didn't have much time with her, so it was great we could run that race while she was still alive,” said Melissa Skabich.

Part of the reason the couple chose Snapology as the venue is because they have three young children, two of whom attend South End School in Cedar Grove.

“They are excited to get involved,” said Melissa Skabich. “They lost their grandma, so it's great to get them involved and let them contribute.”

Anyone who cannot attend the event, but would still like to donate to the American Cancer Society, can visit the Skabich’s website.