When it comes to helping others, Michele Gannon and Bob Huegle go above and beyond. Gannon, executive director and co-founder of Mary’s Place By The Sea, and Huegle, president and executive director of the Frances Foundation, strive to provide everything they can for those who need it most.
FRANCES FOUNDATION
The Frances Foundation launched following the death of Bob Heugle’s mother, Frances, in 2000. Bob, an attorney, initially became involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life before establishing his own endeavor — all in the name of helping kids with cancer and their families, a cause close to Frances’ heart.
“My mom was very, very involved with a lot of kids' organizations and activities,” said Heugle. “She just had a special way with children, and we just thought that's a wonderful way to honor her legacy, helping kids with cancer.”
At the heart of the Frances Foundation’s mission and message: Let kids be kids, we’ll handle the rest.
Since its founding in 2004, the Frances Foundation has raised more than $4 million to help those 21 and younger battling pediatric cancers in New Jersey. It has sent its “warriors” — how the foundation refers to its young charges — to college basketball games, Broadway shows, the Super Bowl, on cruises to Bermuda, and hosted parties and picnics galore. All in the name of putting smiles back on kids’ faces.
But the Frances Foundation is more than just showing ailing children a good time; it provides a sense of security, community, and hope.
When parents or guardians are unable to pay their mortgages or rents, car insurances or utilities, children’s medical bills or more dire expenses, Bob and the team at the Frances Foundation step up. Parents have enough on their plates, says Bob, and the Frances Foundation is there to lessen the load.
The foundation, which also supports pediatric cancer research, recently announced it would be opening a satellite office in Vero Beach, Florida. That outpost will concentrate solely on pediatric cases in the Sunshine State.
The New Jersey nonprofit survives off of generous donations earned throughout the year, as well as those from its various fundraisers and galas. Requests for assistance from families with a child in treatment are always welcome.
“I take a lot of pride in [the foundation],” said Heugle. “I have a great, great team of trustees and volunteers … and they, just like me, love to try to take care of the kids.”
MARY’S PLACE
Within the quaint town of Ocean Grove lies a special respite. Mary’s Place By The Sea, the brainchild of Michele Gannon, caters to women with cancer who need both a getaway, and a chance to holistically heal their minds, bodies and souls.
Inspired by Gannon’s own brief health battle more than a decade ago, Mary’s Place By The Sea is a safe space that gives women permission to take a break from the world, and to check in with themselves and their needs.
“I think it's something that we can all identify with, being pulled in a million different directions,” said Gannon, who offers women from across New Jersey and the rest of the country multiple-night and one-day retreats.
“Guests meet other women who are on similar paths, and start to build their own community of women who understand. … This is a space where they can be completely authentic. They can really let it out. This is where the healing begins.”
Mary’s Place By The Sea currently resides in a custom-built, 10,000-square-foot property that opened in 2016, and women with all types of cancer at any stage are welcome, from diagnosis up to two years post-treatment. Among the on-site services: Oncology massages, Reiki, reflexology, nutrition education, and one-on-one counseling. Plant-based meals are provided to all guests, and online support via monthly virtual meetings is also available to those unable to visit the home.
Everything at Mary’s Place By The Sea is complimentary; women only need to pay their own ways to the Ocean Grove oasis. That said, the nonprofit, which operates year-round, is completely donation-based; in addition to accepting monetary contributions, it has an online wishlist for items like paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, and soaps, with staff taking great care to stock products that are specific to sensitive skin. The organization also provides women rideshare gift cards to travel to and from airports when it can, and vouchers for meals at area restaurants.
“I want every woman to know that, regardless of where they come from socioeconomically, demographically, the equalizer is cancer,” said Gannon. “If you are struggling with a cancer diagnosis, please don't hesitate to reach out. We’re right here.”
To donate to the Frances Foundation or Mary’s Place By The Sea, visit the nonprofits’ websites at francesfoundation.net and marysplacebythesea.org.
"This is a space where they can be completely authentic."
"My mom ... she just had a special way with children."