Ocean County group helps more friends in need

An Ocean County non-profit, which began on a whim, continues to pay it forward and donate huge sums of money to people around the area.

Friends Helping Friends of New Jersey was started in 2009 by some friends to raise money for the families of two fellow friends battling cancer. Co-founder Leon Mawadia, Jr. cannot believe the impact they have been able to make in just over five years.

"We never knew it was going to be an ongoing thing, but then once we started it, we knew we really couldn't stop," he said.

To date, they have raised $300,000 for more than 15 families and friends in need. The concept is a simple, but effective one. They strive to pay it forward, selecting different people and families each year to support with direct assistance.

"All of the proceeds go to them, so at the end of the night, literally within a day or two, we're just handing over checks to families and giving all of the money out," he explained.

Mawadia said they rely heavily on word-of-mouth.

"It's a homegrown organization. A perfect example is how we got the two families this year. They were both through other people that were at the event, so it's the true message of paying it forward," he said.

The 6th Annual Golf Outing & Dinner Gift Auction Gala takes place on Friday, October 10 at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood.

This year's beneficiaries are Siobhan Feeney and Liam Marino.

Feeney is a local mother of three, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 lymphoma and beginning her battle with the illness.

Marino is an 8-year-old Brick student, diagnosed with a brain tumor. The young boy recently had his tumor removed, underwent radiation and is just starting chemotherapy.

The event continues to grow in popularity with Mawadia estimating about 100-150 golfers playing in the outing and about 500 people turning out for the dinner and gift auction.

"We do it on a Friday night now, which is even better, because people don't have to work the next day and that's really helped increase the turnout," he said.

Mawadia said part of what makes their non-profit appealing for people to donate to is that they have very little overhead, so the money goes directly to the cause.

"It's a local need-based organization, all of the money goes to them (families)," he said. "We don't have administrative costs or anything like that."

Find out more about this great New Jersey charity and their upcoming event by visiting the Friends Helping Friends of New Jersey website.