Sarah Grace Foundation Has Successful Year, Looks Ahead To 2022

HICKSVILLE, NY — The Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer, Inc. is ending the year strong and has exciting plans for new and returning events when the calendar turns to 2022. The Hicksville-based organization continues to fulfill its mission of supporting children and their families during cancer treatment.

The foundation is named in honor of Sarah Grace Weippert, who lost her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in November 2002 at 12 years old. Sarah enjoyed crafts, music and ballgames, and many of the foundation’s initiatives aim to ignite that same spark in other children.

Most recently, the foundation held its annual Holiday Extravaganza raffle, which raised more than $4,000. The funds provided financial aid for holiday meals and gifts to struggling families.

Ongoing toy drives have enabled the foundation to send gifts to children at its core hospitals including Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Montefiore Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

For Halloween, the foundation shipped 550 trick-or-treat goodie bags to all of the pediatric cancer centers in the area.

“Most children with cancer are unable to go trick or treating so it is important to provide these treats for them,” foundation President Matthew Weippert, Sarah's father, said. “No child should have to skip any childhood enjoyment because they are sick.”

To mark Childhood Cancer Month in September, anyone who made a $10 donation to the foundation received a gold ribbon pin or a magnet, or a $20 donation for both. The gold ribbon is the official symbol of children with cancer worldwide.

This year, Sarah would have turned 31, so in the spring the foundation hosted its first virtual 5K race — the equivalent of 3.1 miles. The race drew more than 70 participants from across the country and generated approximately $4,800 to help support the foundation’s initiatives.

The event was so successful in its inaugural year that the foundation is considering hosting two race events next year: an in-person 5K race and another virtual race later in the year. The foundation is also considering the return of the popular Night of Laughter fundraiser dinner if these events can be held safely.

New for 2022 will be a clothing drive fundraiser in January. Old clothes can be dropped off at a designated site, and the foundation would be paid per pound of clothing. Another Bake-LESS-Cake Sale is in the works for next summer. The foundation is also planning restaurant fundraisers, in which Sarah Grace would be the featured charity on certain dates at local restaurants. Supporters would be notified of those dates to dine out at these restaurants and the foundation would receive a percentage of the sales that night.

“The supporters of the Sarah Grace Foundation allow us to continue our mission in aiding children and their families during such a difficult time,” Weippert said. “We are touched by the generosity of so many people, from Sarah’s hometown to friends across the country. Thanks to our team of dedicated volunteers, the Sarah Grace Foundation is overcoming the obstacles of the pandemic and still providing for our children”

Throughout the pandemic, the Foundation has not had to turn down any referrals and has continued to sponsor core programs including The Escape Hatch, Gabe’s Chemo Duck, The Bead Program and Sarah Grace’s Book Angels as well as financial aid for meals, transportation, funerals, holiday gifts and so much more.

You may donate to the Sarah Grace Foundation online. If you prefer to mail a donation, it can be sent to the Sarah Grace Foundation at 17 East Old Country Road, Unit B, PMB 202, Hicksville, NY 11801.