From left: Salvatore Frassetto, Tulfra Real Estate founder and co-chairman and Spring Lake Toys Foundation board vice president; Gina Ficca-Logan, founder and CEO of GFL Benefits and SLTF board member; Steve Vitale, Valley Bank regional president and SLTF board member; Paulette Pera Laurenzi, STLF founder and president; David Green, president of Results Advertising and SLTF board member; and Dean Logan, president of CRS and SLTF board member. — Courtesy: Photo Credit: Smalltown Photo.
By Joshua Burd
The Spring Lake Toys Foundation, a nonprofit that supports families of children with rare illnesses, is celebrating a new $15,000 donation from Valley Bank.
According to the Franklin Lakes-based organization, bank executive Steve Vitale was on hand for a recent ceremony to present a $10,000 donation. Before the event was over, he pledged an extra $5,000 from the Wayne-based lender.
“Steve Vitale is one of those magnanimous personalities recognized for his unwavering philanthropic voice,” said Paulette Pera Laurenzi, founder and president of the Spring Lake Toys Foundation, or SLTF. “A special thanks goes out to Steve Vitale and his incredible team, who made this donation possible. So many children will benefit from their support.”
As a nonprofit and 501(c)3 organization, the Spring Lake Toys Foundation is committed to offering financial assistance to families of children with rare illnesses for medical-related expenses, not covered by insurance. This can range from basic therapies to durable medical equipment and even home modifications.
Its recent ceremony with Valley Bank took place at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. Also on hand were Salvatore Frassetto, vice president of the nonprofit’s board of directors, and fellow board members David Green, Dean Logan and Gina Logan.
“I raised my family in the suburbs of New Jersey,” said Vitale, a regional president at Valley. “Our roots are here. So when it comes to charity, there’s no better place to start than right in our own backyard. And what better way to do that than to bring a ray of hope to the families the SLTF supports.
“With an initiative like this being so near and dear to my heart, I also couldn’t resist being part of the SLTF board of advisers. Together, with my esteemed colleagues we can spread more hope to deserving children.”
For more information on the Spring Lake Toys Foundation, visit springlaketoysfoundation.org.
