Easter Egg Hunt Benefits Student Battling Brain Cancer

For James Caldwell High School students Emily Fiore and Morgan Vitiello, spring means planning their annual egg hunt to help someone less fortunate than themselves.

The teens’ sixth annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30 will benefit Caroline Vandemark, a local college student who is battling brain cancer. Vandemark, a 2009 graduate of James Caldwell, planned to enter her senior year of college at East Stroudsburg University before learning of her diagnosis.

Fiore and Vitiello are hoping their Easter Egg Hunt will help defray some of the costs of Vandemark’s treatment. Funds raised will help to pay for medical bills and procedures not covered by the family’s insurance. 

“When someone in a family is ill, it affects the entire family,” added Fiore. “We are hoping that the event and the funds it raises will help and also let them enjoy their springtime just a little bit more."

Fiore and Vitiello began their annual fundraising event as elementary school students after learning about Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which raises money for children with cancer. The girls decided to join the effort, setting up a stand outside their homes and hoping to raise a few dollars for charity. 

Since then, the friends have expanded their efforts to an annual Easter Egg Hunt, raising money for multiple causes, including several local families and well-known national charities.To date, the girls have raised more than $7,000. 

"We started fundraising because we wanted to help children, but it feels good to have helped so many local families,” said Vitiello. "Being able to help someone and see them smile because of it, it really makes me happy.”

The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, at Francisco Park in West Caldwell. Children four and under start at noon and children five to seven start at 12:15 p.m.

The hunt costs just $5 per child, with 100 percent of proceeds going to the Vandemark family.

For more information or to find out how you can help, call 973-226-1072 or 973-364-7559.