Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The Medical Needs Foundation (MNF) provides financial assistance to individuals and families facing overwhelming expenses due to chronic or catastrophic illness.

Our beneficiaries reside, work and/or attend school in Morris County NJ. We came together in 1998 to respond to a neighbor suddenly afflicted with a debilitating disease. Her medical insurance did not cover her treatment, child-care, and other ordinary expenses. Today, she is well, and her family is thriving. Since then we have raised well over $1 million and assisted nearly 70 individuals and their families.

We are a group of volunteers committed to providing support to families as they face financial uncertainty. Simply, we are neighbors helping neighbors.

The Spirit 5K:
A Community Call to Action
MNF’s signature fund-raising event is the annual Spirit 5K Race/Walk. Hundreds of members of the community and surrounding area – from the youngest to the oldest – turn out to support people in need. Since its inception, the event has raised nearly one million dollars, benefiting over forty recipients.

Held in the fall each year in Mountain Lakes NJ, the race is a tribute both to the courageous recipients who are battling serious illness and to the community that supports them. The Spirit 5K raises money through corporate sponsorships and individual donations. Race volunteers, participants and sponsors give generously of their time, talent and financial support to make the race an annual success.

In addition, young professionals have added a new dimension by hosting an annual evening of live music, dancing and camaraderie.  Over the years, these evenings have made important financial contributions to MNF, and have introduced the cause to a new audience of supporters.

Corporate Sponsorship
Corporations are a mainstay of MNF support. As Spirit 5K sponsors, their generosity underpins the success of this local community event. Corporations can become sponsors by donating $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 or more, for which their logo appears on the MNF banner and race t-shirts awarded to each participant. Corporate sponsors also enter race teams without paying entry fees.

Many organizations also have “matching gift” programs, which double contributions made by employees. If a company matches donations, employees can provide the Medical Needs Foundation name and tax ID number 22-3599504.

Recent Recipients
The Medical Needs Foundation has recently supported:

   • An energetic 6 year old who is challenged with learning due
      to an autism spectrum disorder. He has no language and
      severe sensory and motor deficits. MNF was pleased to
      be able to assist the family with expenses for ABA therapy,
      speech and occupational therapy, as well as out of pocket
      expenses for a hospital stay in New York.

   • A 50 year old RN with a history of Lyme disease that
      invaded her central nervous system resulting in seizures,
      slurred speech, impaired memory and cognition, and
      compromised physical ability.  She had been recently
      diagnosed with ALS and was wheelchair and bed bound
      when we first met. The MNF was able to help offset
      expenses for prescription medications and home health
      aides for both day and night care, to relieve the
      parents and family members who were caring for her.
      She is now living in an independent living home where
      she is able to care for herself. Her courage and
      determination are an inspiration to us all. 

   • A 44 year old man who suffered a brainstem stroke at age
      32 and is paralyzed aside from partial use of his right arm
      and hand.  After spending a demoralized decade walled
      off from the world, he is now emerging as a result of
      psychotherapy, but needed a wheelchair accessible van
      to pursue his studies at CCM in landscape architecture. 
      The MNF helped him acquire and convert a new van; he is
      mobile again and pursuing his degree.

Grant Guidelines
Recipients must live, work or go to school in Morris County, NJ

   • Grants are given only to individuals or families meeting
      MNF-defined criteria.

   • Grants are to be used for expenses related to or resulting
      from a serious medical condition. Such expenses may
      include, but are not limited to, medical bills, medication,
      insurance premiums, child-care, home health care, medical
      equipment and supplies. Expenses are submitted to and
      approved by the MNF Board.

   • Preference is given to those applicants demonstrating the
      greatest need, as determined by the MNF board.

   • All applicants considered for assistance must submit an
      application and will be interviewed by two MNF Board
      members before grant approval.

Board of Trustees
The Medical Needs Foundation Board is a group of dedicated volunteers with expertise in law, medicine, insurance, financial management, fund-raising and community service. The Board meets monthly to review applications and make awards.

      Allyson Bakewell
      Peter Bolo, MD
      John Carrico
      Irene DeMezzo
      Ellen Emr
      Barbara Gniewek
      Margarethe P. Laurenzi
      Paul Lewandowski, DC
      Mary Lio
      J. Michael Lightner, Esq.
      Elizabeth LoBiondo
      Cathy Mitchell
      John Reilly
      Mary Ellen Sampson
      Thomas Semler
      Nancy Smith, DC
      Renée Waas
      Patricia Witt
      Thomas Ryan, Of Counsel

Advisory Board
      Rev. Mark Bartles
      Jud Breslin
      Sen. Anthony Bucco
      Rev. Patricia Carque
      Russell Deyo
      Thomas Dircks
      Shelagh Waters Dwyer, RN
      Judy Halter
      Rev. Eric Hinds
      Doug Kennedy
      Herbert Kirby
      Polly Krupnick, MD
      Barry Lowell, MD
      Wes Lucas
      James McCrudden
      Bruce Mintz, MD
      Joff Mitchell
      Jim Newfrock
      Alessandra Pernis-Lowell, MD
      Dianna Piumelli
      Father Patrick Rice
      Duke Smith
      Richard Urankar