We’re thrilled to announce the completion of another impactful CMM Cares support plan! This project transformed the home of Suzanne, a Suffolk County woman who has been battling scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disorder, for over 20 years. An extraordinary mother and friend, Suzanne gives back to her community through her work at a local nonprofit.
Scleroderma causes an overproduction of collagen that builds up on joints and bones, severely limiting movement and often requiring multiple surgeries. Suzanne has undergone numerous procedures on her hips, wrists, knees, and other major joints, and she has been hospitalized two to three times each year. Simple tasks like entering her home or bathing independently have become impossible, threatening her safety and independence.
Through the nomination of a close friend, Suzanne was introduced to CMM Cares. Partnering with our friends at Condos Brothers Construction, we developed and executed a support plan that replaced her front porch steps with a handicap-accessible walkway, widened her front door to accommodate mobility needs, and renovated her bathroom with a zero-entry shower for safe, easy use.
This project embodies the CMM Cares mission of providing life-changing assistance to Long Islanders in need. By creating a safe and accessible home, Suzanne can now focus on her health and well-being without the daily challenges of an unsuitable living space. Her courage and determination inspire us, and we are honored to have been part of her journey.
“This project was about so much more than ramps and doorways, it was about restoring her independence and making everyday life safer and easier. Suzanne’s strength and positivity throughout her journey are inspiring, and we’re grateful to have played a role in giving her the freedom and comfort she deserves,” remarked CMM Cares Executive Director Julie Alberti.
CMM Cares would like to introduce our second 2023 CMM Cares Family. Meet Henry, a resilient and inspiring individual who has triumphed over the challenges posed by cerebral palsy. Despite being wheelchair-bound and having a speech impediment, Henry radiates strength, determination, and an unwavering spirit.
Henry Lozano was nominated by Lisa Gatti, CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. The family description, in her words “Henry Lozano wheeled through the Pal-O-Mine farm gates with his mother, father and sister by his side 8 years ago. Despite being confined to a wheelchair and speaking with a severe speech impairment, Henry stated that he wanted to ride a horse against his mother’s wishes. I knew at that moment he would be my student. I loved his confidence, his humor, his perseverance, and his willingness to try anything he could get his hands on. Henry began weekly riding lessons, started competing in horseshows, mentored other young adults at Pal-O-Mine, and began working in our vocational program. Two years ago, Henry lost his father, his best friend. His mom is the sole provider currently and given her age, is unable to lift Henry out of his chair to get into bed or go to the bathroom.”
Despite the physical and communication challenges he faces, Henry is not defined by his condition. His tenacity and positive attitude shine through in every aspect of his life. Henry’s story serves as an inspiration to others, proving that with determination and a supportive community, one can overcome even the most formidable challenges. CMM Cares is proud to be a part of that support system, to help remedy the current obstacle in Henry’s path.
Henry desperately needed an accessible bathroom. With a properly thought-out design, a handicap accessible bathroom would enhance the safety, dignity, and independence in Henry’s daily life. This home upgrade provides a more inclusive and accommodating environment for Henry, his family, and his caregivers in his home. With the help of CMM Cares’ most generous contractor, George Condos, of Condos Brothers Construction, this crucial home renovation project has come to life. This is not a simple home DIY home project, the scope of work involved in making sure this space wheelchair accessible was intensive. The project involved full demolition of the existing bathroom and adjacent closet, reframe for a widened door opening, relocating water lines, installing a new shower, electrically updates, new drywall, tilework, installation of new vanity, sink, faucet, toilet, and painting.
“I’ve always dreamt about a bathroom that would help me, my family and staff during my morning and night routine. It has been life changing for me as it feels so good to have a bathroom made just for me. The bathroom looks amazing. George and his company were kind and super supportive to listening to my needs. I feel like everything I wanted was accomplished. Thank you for making my dream come true. It is the very best gift I have ever received.”
Safety was a top priority in this project to reduce the risk of slips, trips or falls. This new, custom space now not only addresses the immediate needs of his safety, but it improves the quality of life for both him and his support network. The modifications reduce the physical strain on family members and caregivers when assisting him. CMM Cares’ goal is to provide long-term benefits to those in need. The renovations completed in Henry’s home provide long-term benefits extend to the entire family, and caregivers, providing an increased quality of life for years to come. As Henry’s needs may change over time, having an accessible bathroom ensures his ongoing comfort and safety.
In addition to the new walk-in shower, CMM Cares has covered the cost of a shower wheelchair which provides a safe and accessible bathing solution, ensuring a comfortable and secure bathing experience for both the user and caregiver. In many instances, the cost for shower wheelchairs isn’t covered by insurance because they are not deemed medically necessary. We worked with Henry and his family to choose a specific model that will make the showering process and transfer easier on Henry and his family.
“As Henry’s mom, I still can’t believe that you and CMM Cares along with Lisa Gatti, chose Henry to receive this bathroom remodel. Henry is so happy and feels special to have this bathroom make his daily routine go smoothly and most importantly safely. It was truly a pleasure having George and his company here. Thank you so very much. You have no idea what this means to Henry and our family. We feel truly blessed. Thank you again!”
And finally, we completed this Support Plan with the generous donation of a full housecleaning service who volunteered to the task of cleaning up this post-construction project. The team at Thunderbird Maintenance Corp. volunteered their time and expertise to restore order and comfort to their living space.
We thank Lisa Gatti for recognizing the challenges of this family and submitting this nomination for our CMM Cares support. We are proud to have helped overcome one of the biggest challenges this family was facing. Henry is an incredible person and deserves this support as he is always giving back to his community despite his own challenges.
Our first 2023 CMM Cares family is a family who are natives of Haiti and residents of Westbury, NY for many years. The matriarch of the family is Maude, is a mother of 3, who lost her middle son in 2018 at the age of 6 to health conditions. Months after losing her son, her husband suffered a stroke and was put in a nursing home for a few months. He’s since regained some of his health and recently suffered a second stroke, returned to Haiti and his extended family and is now living in Florida, leaving the challenges of raising their children to her alone. Maude works around the clock to care for her family taking on multiple shifts and jobs as a home health aide. She also manages the services for her youngest daughter’s learning, speech and auditory disabilities and supports her oldest daughter as she continues overcome post COVID anxiety returning to middle school. Her daughter has become such an incredible help with caring for things at home, and Maude is lucky that her mother moved from Haiti a few years ago to help her at home, as well.
While she juggles the challenges of her immediate family here on Long Island, she also feels the weight of the struggles her extended family faces back in Haiti and sends support she can spare to assist them as well. As the sole provider for her, the girls and her mom, Maude has been a great steward of her finances, building up a small savings thanks to her hard work and her ability to manage expenses and the government programs for families in need during the pandemic. The family lives on very little and have learned to live without items many of us would consider necessities. Most recently, her landlord decided they no longer wanted to rent out the small, shared basement apartment and the family was forced to find a new rental. With the goal of staying within the same school district and the challenge of staying within her small budget, Maude has since successfully secured another shared apartment for their family. It’s a safe, albeit small, place for her family while she continues to save for their forever home. Her dreams are set on owning a house where her kids can play outdoors, have friends over and enjoy more space.
To help Maude reach that dream, our CMM Cares Support Plan has aimed to alleviate expenses and allow Maude to save for their future. This year we have been able to step in provide this family with necessities they have been living without and struggling to afford. After moving into their new apartment, we arranged for the family to head to Bob’s Discount Furniture to help furnish and create a comfortable and nurturing environment. Having your own brand-new basic furniture makes a huge difference – to lay your head on your own new bed at night, to put your clothes away in a dresser. All members of the family now have new beds, mattresses, and dressers of their own. A first for all of them and something that has made them feel “cared for.” The organization also covered her eldest daughter, Abigail’s orthodonture balance, yet another monthly fee weighing heavily on the family. Additionally, we have pledged to cover one year of car insurance premiums and supplied the family with grocery gift cards. These gifts have been life changing for Maude, allowing her to have the ability to take care of other expenses that were often thought of as unreachable and some peace of mind!
If you’re interested in helping us support this family with in-kind donations, and financial support for our plans, or if you know local businesses that may be interested in participating, please contact Victoria at vtringone@cmmcares.org.
We were introduced to Navy veteran Annmarie Ayers by our nonprofit partners at United Way of Long Island. This mother of two, with a daughter in college and a son in high school, has struggled for years with a variety of health issues. Being laid off due to COVID exacerbated her symptoms and struggles with cancer and military PTSD. It was very difficult for her to head back to work full-time. Being unemployed due to the pandemic has left her in significant debt and unable to provide all the necessities for her family. CMM Cares has been the helping hand that she’s needed to focus on treating her medical issues while working to provide both financially and emotionally for her family. We’ve been a source of hope and support, giving her a renewed faith that she can and will overcome all the challenges she has faced.
CMM Cares crafted a customized Support Plan to provide her with both short-term and long-term assistance. Helping her with the immediate necessities she was struggling to provide, we quickly covered expenses for household items such as a vacuum, new towels, bed linens, and pet food. We purchased larger items as well, such as a new mattress, oven, and Chromebooks for her children. Most importantly, we helped her create a long-term plan to pay down her debt and get ahold of her finances that has been a major factor in her PTSD and getting back on her feet financially since COVID.
Working with our nonprofit partners, we’re able to expand our Support Plan even further as we introduce our Cares Families to additional resources available through other local nonprofits within our community. Our friends at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian have welcomed Annmarie to participate in their Military Program, which provides Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) sessions at the farm. As an Eagala Designated Program, they have Eagala Certified Professionals on site with specialized training and experience working with the military community. It’s a wonderful support to her as she embraces the time she spends on the farm building relationships with the horses to reduce anxiety and find peace from her military PTSD.
Additionally, the Ayers family was also gifted a complete solar energy system donated by SUNation Energy’s not-for-profit SUNation Cares. SUNation CEO Scott Maskin, who serves as a board member for CMM Cares, stepped in to help alleviate some of the Ayers’ monthly expenses. Since completed and connected, this renewable energy system will aid Ayers and her family with lower monthly electricity bills and more control over their energy. Through the donation of 21 solar panels, along with equipment and labor for the installation, this solar energy system will generate approximately 5,344 watts of energy annually. This is estimated to offset about 74% of the Ayers home energy use and greatly reduce their monthly electricity costs.
If you’re interested in helping us support this family with in-kind donations, and financial support for our plans, or if you know local businesses that may be interested in participating, please contact Victoria at vtringone@cmmcares.org.
Sammy Ortiz, an 11-year-old patient of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, and his family were nominated for our program by their medical social worker. At 4-years old, Sammy suffered an illness that led to encephalitis with severe neurological devastation (nonverbal) and became wheelchair-bound. The doctors informed the family that Sammy was expected to be bedbound with limited function in movement and would require total care.
Through his parents’ persistence, they have obtained the services and equipment to afford him every opportunity to progress and have meaningful movements. Some equipment was covered through their insurance, but much of his adaptable equipment was not. Committed to giving Sammy every opportunity available, his parents have taken loans to secure all items and equipment that are beneficial to his well-being and recovery.
The family relocated to a school district that has been instrumental in providing Sammy with adequate academic support to further his functional progress. Despite the odds, Sammy can walk with two people’s assistance and is able to minimally gesture with physical/facial movement. He recognizes the familiar faces of those who are frequently involved in his care. However, he still requires total care and 24/7 shift nursing as he still suffers from minor seizures throughout the day and cannot be left unsupervised.
On April 24, 2022, the family faced yet another devasting challenge. A fire destroyed their apartment unit and all of Sammy’s expensive adaptable equipment and supplies. Grievously, all family items were lost. Stony Brook Children’s Hospital’s discharge planning team has been working with supply companies and insurance companies to replace his basic supplies. However, the adaptable equipment (that the family is still paying off loans for) that has been so beneficial for Sammy’s progress unable to be replaced by the hospital. For the first time, the family found themselves without a stable home and unable to provide for their basic needs. They qualified for emergency housing, but it has limited accommodations for a family with a special needs child.
CMM Cares Support
With the help of our donors and fundraising efforts, CMM Cares has been able to offer the support need to help this family get back on their feet and relieve some of the financial burden of replacing all that was lost in the fire.
CMM Cares purchased Sammy a brand-new Sit to Stand lift, which is an assistive device for patients who do have some mobility but still need help moving from one position to the next. This piece of equipment ensures Sammy’s parents and aides can safely support and transfer him as needed. This specific piece of equipment retails for over $3,000, and without renter’s insurance at the time, Sammy’s original lift was lost in the fire.
Also lost in the ashes was Sammy’s adaptive tricycle which has proven instrumental and beneficial to his daily care. Adapted sports bicycles enable children and adolescents with physical disabilities to improve leg strength, posture, balance and range of motion. While not a medical necessity, replacing Sammy’s Rifton Adaptive Tricycle has given him back the opportunity for exercise and recreation and to experience the joy and freedom of independent movement.
Another piece of equipment that Cares purchased on behalf of the Ortiz family is a hygiene and toileting system that serves as both a as both a toilet and shower chair. The commode system is designed to improve the health and lives of clients and caretakers and because it accommodates toileting, showering and bathing, the Rifton HTS eliminates the need to buy separate equipment for each activity, making it versatile in their tight space.
In addition to replacing equipment already proved beneficial to Sammy’s care, CMM Cares fulfilled the Ortiz Family’s biggest wish, to make their new apartment feel like a home. With a small grant from Bob’s Discount Furniture Foundation, we purchased new furniture to furnish their home. The Ortiz family now has a new dining room table with chairs, new dressers, nightstands, and mattresses. We were able to go even a step further and purchase items beyond the basic necessities, such as winter coats, boots, lamps, a television, and even a new Christmas tree, giving them a renewed sense of comfort as they replace all that was lost.
A special thank you to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital for nominating and introducing us to this incredible family, to MedMart for helping source the medical equipment, to Bob’s Discount Furniture of Nesconset, and our CMM Cares Board for their support of this family. We wish the Ortiz Family the very best in the future and hope we have made a lasting impact on Sammy and his parents.
If you’re interested in helping us support this family with in-kind donations, and financial support for our plans, or if you know local businesses that may be interested in participating, please contact Victoria at vtringone@cmmcares.org.
The five members of the Stelmashcuk Family are Ukrainian refugees who have shown strength and perseverance through the unimaginable. Having fled their home in war-torn Kyiv, they are now trying to rebuild their lives here on Long Island. Click here to watch their touching video.
Nataliia Akinina, born in Ukraine and a legal permanent US resident, urged her family in Kyiv to come to New York and escape the war in Ukraine. Reluctant to leave their homes and husbands, Juliia (age 32) and her two girls Karolina (age 5) and Kristina (age 13), along with Viktoriia (age 36) and her daughter Marharyta (age 4), began their escape. The journey included living in bomb shelters and driving more than 48 hours to cross the border into Poland. Viktoriia experienced a terrible injury during their travels that required emergency surgery, leaving her in two long leg casts and unable to move without assistance. The next challenge was to secure the necessary documentation via the Embassy for all to legally come to the United States. With the help of Sen. Charles Schumer, Rep. Tom Suozzi, and Northwell Health advocating for the family, their visas were granted, and all five refugees arrived in New York on April 8, 2022.
Viktoriia is now under the charitable care of Northwell Health, which took her from the airport by ambulance to Lenox Hill so that doctors could address her medical status. We hope that Viktoriia will be able to bend her knees again and walk without the support of a walker or need assistance from a caretaker.
They don’t know when they will see the families, homes, and friends they left behind in Kyiv or their husbands, who stayed behind to protect the country. Currently, the five family members are settling into the home of their friend Ruby, for whom Nataliia provides full-time care. Ruby and her family are helping Juliia and Viktoriia get settled into life here in New York.
Local media outlets have covered their harrowing trip into New York. Newsday | ABC7 New York
As all five refugees are settling into life in Lynbrook, CMM Cares is working closely with the family to identify the best support plan to assist them. To date, we’ve covered expenses for therapeutic horseback riding at Sagamore Hill Stables in Northport. The restorative benefits of horseback riding have provided a source of joy and comfort in the wake of their dangerous journey to get here. While recreational, it’s also an outlet and source of healing and therapy.
Additionally, the girls have received over 100 hours of virtual English lessons. Through Varsity Tutors, CMM Cares has covered the expenses of the weekly face to face virtual sessions. Improving their language skills has been instrumental in adjusting to life here in the States. The customized lessons plans have helped overcome the communication barrier in both the classroom setting and the community at large. One of the biggest benefits of the sessions being held virtual is that they are recorded, allowing the girls to watch the sessions over again for continued practice.
In the spirit of collaboration and partnership, we introduced this Ukrainian family with the incredible local organization, Splashes of Hope. Splashes is a local nonprofit dedicated to creating art to transform spaces, enrich environments and facilitate healing. A remarkable group of skilled artists, who graciously dedicate their time as volunteers came together to craft a unique and personalized piece of artwork for the young girls, with the objective to evoke memories of the girls’ Ukrainian homeland, filling their hearts with remembrance of happiness while embracing their new home in New York. As a bonus, the girls were extended an invitation to Splashes of Hope’s art studio, where they were generously offered a complimentary painting session.
Through our collaboration with local nonprofits on Long Island, CMM Cares goes above and beyond our Support Plans, presenting valuable resources and opportunities. These endeavors are dedicated to bringing smiles to those who are navigating difficult times. If you’re involved with a local nonprofit that shares our vision of supporting families in need, we encourage you to reach out. Together, we can make an even greater impact!
If you’re interested in helping us support this family with in-kind donations, and financial support for our plans, or if you know local businesses that may be interested in participating, please contact Victoria at vtringone@cmmcares.org.
Nominated by a devoted counselor from Family Service League, the Neikens Family is one of our wonderful 2021 Adopted Families.
UPDATE: We would like to thank our friends and colleagues who have donated and helped The Neikens family.Because of you, we were been able to make significant changes to their lives and have lifted some of their burdens.With our funds and with the generous support of in-kind donors, we have created a stay-cation spot right in the Neikens’ backyard. Because of Casey’s condition, medical bills, and the spread of COVID-19, family vacations are nearly impossible for the Neikens. Now, they can now enjoy a shaded patio, and Casey has access to a soothing jacuzzi and a wheelchair-accessible ramp from his front door.
Big shout out to Maggio Environmental, Condos Brothers Construction, Sierra Tree Service, and Ocean Spray Hot Tubs & Saunas for their generous contributions.
CMM Cares bought Casey a compact keyboard so he doesn’t incur pain by having to stretch fingers far. It helps him stay connected with friend
Casey Neikens is a 13-year-old boy who was diagnosed shortly after birth with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a group of rare diseases that cause fragile, blistering skin. The blisters may appear in response to a minor injury, heat, rubbing, scratching, or adhesive tape. In severe cases, such as Casey’s the blisters may occur inside the body, such as the lining of the mouth or the stomach.
Casey was referred to Family Service League’s William Floyd Family Center for counseling in dealing with his medical condition and anxiety surrounding it.
“At times, Casey is known as the 7th grade “mayor” because of his quick wit, strong will, and knowledge of everyone. His ability to engage anyone in conversation ensures he is known by all, and those characteristics are the very ones that help him fight his disease every day.
His family has always allowed him to live each day as “normal” as possible by attending school and hanging with friends. He is also a self-proclaimed baker and foodie who will often request to be remembered if we get donated cake or brownie mix or to be the recipient of a small snack buffet after school in our office before his counseling sessions.
Despite the difficult circumstances they endure daily, I have never met a more loving, wonderful, humble, and caring family. The love and nurture I witness when I am meeting with them is extraordinary, not just between themselves but also with those around them. When assistance was given to the family during the recent holidays, Casey’s mother turned to me and said, “Isn’t there someone else out there who could use this help?” I responded, “Not anyone else in the entire world,” says his FSL counselor.
According to Beth, his mother, the family has always struggled financially but once Casey was diagnosed with EB, their world was turned upside down and the financial difficulties continue to mount. Casey needs an exorbitant amount of medical care every day just to remain out of the hospital. He has full-time nursing at home and at school. He receives physical and occupational therapies several times a week and he has the services of a full-time aide (in addition to his nurse) at school. Casey continues to receive ongoing care and surgeries as needed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
A Day in Casey’s Life
A typical day for Casey begins with 2 1/2 hours of unwrapping his body cleaning his skin and treating any new blisters. Once that is done, he is re-wrapped with clean glaze bandages. The wrapping and unwrapping is extremely painful but is necessary because he is at extremely high risk for infection which could be fatal.
After his morning skincare, he is fed through a g- tube for his daily nutritional needs that are not met by his food intake. Once he comes home from a day of schooling, he rests, attempts to complete homework assignments, eats dinner, and then goes through the same 2 1/2 hours of wrapping him before he goes to bed.
The Challenges from the Pandemic
During the school year of 2019-2020, Casey had 6 surgeries to correct skin that had fused over his hands, tongue, and eyes so he can maintain their movement and use. These surgeries bring Casey an increasing amount of anxiety due to the pain of EB and then the pain of the surgeries.
Since the COVID outbreak, Casey’s family was homebound for fear of infection. His sister remained in the virtual learning classroom with Casey for fear she could potentially bring the COVID infection home to her brother. Casey’s father is an RN and was unable to work for 6 weeks at the beginning of the outbreak because there was so much unknown about the coronavirus and the potentially fatal outcome for Casey if he became infected.
Although the family has medical insurance, they struggle with the hidden cost of Epidermolysis Bullosa such as bandages, gas, hotels, food, and lodging expenses that are incurred during Casey’s trips to Cincinnati. There is no room in their budget for emergencies or typical life activities such as entertainment and vacations.
How CMM Cares is Helping
After getting to know this family and touring their home, we’ve created a “wish list” that would change the lives for Casey and his family now and for years and years to come.
The Neikens family tends to favor “staycations” over vacationing due to Casey’s increasing pain and medical needs, especially with COVID-19 which could be tragic for Casey if he was exposed or infected. The ability for the entire family to utilize their backyard on a regular basis would increase their quality of life tremendously. Our goal is to upgrade their backyard space to create a safe, enjoyable and easily accessible sanctuary for Casey and his whole family to enjoy. Adding a handicap access ramp, a concrete walkway, and a patio large enough for Casey to maneuver his scooter on his own will provide him with some independence around his own home. We also plan to install an awning to the home to provide easy shade and protection for Casey from the sun as well as enclosing the property with a new fence to keep neighboring pets out. Also, on the wish list is adding a small hot tub and above-ground pool, as the chlorinated water provides relief to Casey’s skin. Swimming is an activity he can do with his sister and friends without pain.
CMM Cares would also like to repair the medical prep area in their home. The Neikens have a dedicated room used as a storage area for all of Casey’s nursing and medical supplies. It serves as a space for the family and in-home nurses to organize supplies, manage Casey’s requirements for the day, and keep notes on his progress. Casey spends 5+ hours per day getting his bandages tended to, and there is a nurse in the home assisting for over 30 hours per week. Not only does this space help to keep all the supplies organized in one spot, but it also allows them to “close the door and forget about Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) for even a short time.” The space has not aged well; storage closets are broken, drawers are missing and shelves holding heavy medical supplies are warped, sagging or broken. It leaves the family no choice but for the supplies to creep their way into the rest of the family home. We will be updating this room to maximize the efficiency of the space.
If you’re interested in helping us support the Neikens family with in-kind donations, financial support of our plans or if you know local businesses that may be interested in participating in our bringing our Wishlist plans to life, please contact Victoria at vtringone@cmmcares.org.
Nominated by the Chief Program Officer of Guide Dog Foundation, Mr. Berry and his dog Taxi are one of our wonderful 2021 Adopted Families.
UPDATE: We would like to thank our friends and colleagues who have donated and helped Mr. Berry and Taxi. With the help of our donors, we have been able to provide Mr. Berry with all of his daily meals and groceries throughout the year.We also covered the costs of Taxi’s pricey, life-saving surgery, and ensured that Taxi was returned home safely to Mr. Berry.
Born and raised in New York, Mr. Berry is a combat veteran who served honorably as part of the Radar Force. His military journey includes boot camp in Charleston, South Carolina in March of 1965, where he transferred to the Great Lakes for school for six months. Shortly after, he worked in the Combat Information Center (CIC) for six months until February of 1968, where he left and soon become permanently disabled.
About a year ago, Mr. Berry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, affecting his central nervous system, causing tremors, and severely limiting his movement. Daily tasks such as traveling, cooking meals, and taking care of household chores have become strenuous and financially burdensome.
Mr. Berry is one of seven children and has two daughters of his own. He’s also a loving grandfather and the proud owner of his beloved guide dog, Taxi.
Taxi was trained and placed with Mr. Berry through America’s VetDogs, a service dog program created to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans. Mr. Berry describes his 9-year-old black labrador as a very loving animal with a wonderful personality.
Taxi is his number one companion in life, and all of Mr. Berry’s energy surrounds caring for him. Though America’s VetDogs gifted the dog at no cost to Mr. Berry, expenses such as food, veterinary appointments and any medical bills are up to him. Taxi is scheduled for mandatory surgery on June 22, 2021.
CMM Cares is honored to give back to a veteran who made sacrifices to protect our country and looks forward to supporting him in 2021.
How CMM Cares is Helping
We have pledged to assist Charles Berry this year in taking care of costs associated with feeding, grooming, and medical checkups for Taxi.
Though Mr. Berry only has requests for Taxi, we want to support him, too, by providing any personal wishes he has to ease his hardships. CMM Cares has purchased Mr. Berry a laptop to give him easy access to telehealth services for his own medical care, as well as finance a meal delivery plan for him to eliminate the burden of cooking.
As we continue through the year, we will support Mr. Berry and Taxi by providing various essentials and alleviating financial obligations.
If you’re interested in helping us support Mr. Berry and Taxi with in-kind donations, financial support of our plans or if you know local businesses that may be interested in participating in our bringing our plans to life, please contact Victoria at vtringone@cmmcares.org.
Nominated by a therapist from United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), the Johnson Family is one of our extraordinary 2021 Adopted Families
UPDATE: We would like to thank our friends and colleagues who have donated and helped The Johnson family. Through the funds raised, CMM Cares has been able to relieve some of her financial burdens as they focus on creating a new routine for their family. We were able to replace some of the family’s lost necessities, provided the Johnson children with new clothes for school and we supplied an iPad to allow Zarayah Johnson to attend virtual doctor visits.
Luckily, the Johnsons were able to move out of a crowded homeless shelter and into an apartment. We furnished the apartment with a new air-conditioning unit and provided Ms. Johnson with gift cards to cover her travel expenses to the children’s school and Zarayah’s doctor appointments. Thanks to our supporters, we’ve helped Ms. Johnson and her children get back on their feet and back to making memories as a family after this tragic, unforeseen event.
Could you have survived the COVID-19 pandemic without a home? The Johnson family was suddenly faced with this question when their home was destroyed in an electrical fire on Christmas day. Ms. Johnson and her three young children were forced to relocate to a crowded shelter mid-pandemic.
On top of feeling the devastating loss of their home, furniture, and personal belongings, Ms. Johnson struggled with helping her seven-year-old daughter, Zarayah, cope with her Cerebral Palsy symptoms. Having been suddenly uprooted and thrown into an unfamiliar living space posed a set of unique challenges for Zarayah and her siblings.
Ms. Johnson and her children now live in a one-bedroom apartment in Brentwood, but their troubles are far from gone. A single mother, she is tasked with travelling across Long Island for her children’s daycare and her daughter’s medical services. On top of this, she has been attempting to guide her children through the unexpected transition to online learning over the course of the pandemic.
How CMM Cares is Helping
While we can never replace the memories that the Johnson’s made in their family home, at CMM Cares we have pledged to devote our efforts to ease their burden. First, we want to supply them with the basic necessities that they lost. Thanks to our donors, we’ve purchased new summer clothing for the three Johnson children, a portable air conditioner for their rental home, and a new iPad to help Zarayah work with her Cerebral Palsy therapist remotely. We’ve covered the costs of bills and provided Ms. Johnson with gas gift cards to help her stay afloat. At CMM Cares, we’re hoping to get Ms. Johnson back on her feet after these traumatic events, and back to making memories with her three doting children.
If you’re interested in helping us support the Johnson family with in-kind donations, financial support of our plans or if you know local businesses that may be interested in participating in our bringing our Wishlist plans to life, please contact Victoria at vtringone@cmmcares.org.
