Marcie Mazzola Foundation - Cerini & Associates

May 31, 2006

When tragedy strikes, it is hard to continue on with life. Losing a child to a fatal car accident is one of the worst things a parent could ever experience. The Marcie Mazzola Foundation was created by Nancy and Paul Mazzola to honor their daughter and continue her life mission, after her sudden death. "Our focus is to reach out and help abused or at-risk children," said Nancy Mazzola, Marcie's stepmother and President of the Marcie Mazzola Foundation. "Marcie had been involved in a civil lawsuit. We were unsure about continuing the case until we found out from her lawyer that Marcie had planned to donate the entire settlement to charity. Our daughter had a strong desire to help those who were less fortunate than her, and we wanted to ensure her wishes were carried out."

Making a difference in a child's life is very rewarding. "Marcie always tried to reach out to others," Mazzola said. "The number of people she touched is incredible and she was only 21 years old. That is what motivated us to start a foundation in her name to help children. We work with various organizations to provide services and funds that will keep her legacy alive."

Cerini: What are some of the organizations you work?

Mazzola: We have set up scholarships at the Commack Soccer League to help children attend college. Marcie had a special connection to soccer, so we thought that would be a good place to start. We have worked with the Organ Donor Network to provide education to communities on Long Island. When Marcie passed away, we knew she wanted to be a donor. We know it is a very personal decision to donate organs or tissue, but this helps other people who may be in dire need. The Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center is another place where we have been involved. They are a center for children who have been suspected or known to have been abused. The Education and Assistance Corporation is working on a capital campaign to rebuild the center, so we know the funds will be used for a good cause. We have donated to the Coalition against Child Abuse and Neglect as well. A scholarship program has been established at the Huntington YMCA specifically used to send children to camp. The families touched by this program could not afford to send their children themselves, so we provide the financial means to make camp a reality. With all of these programs, we feel safety and hope is given to children and it will allow them to succeed in life.

Cerini: How do you choose which programs to get involved in? Do you look to develop new programs within the organizations you fund or do you fund programs they have already established?

Mazzola: We will always keep our base as donations to established programs because Marcie supported organizations like these. We?re not trying to replace any organization. We're trying to support those organizations that we feel Marcie would have looked to help herself. By supporting existing programs, the funds can be used more efficiently to reach the needs of children.

Cerini: What are the plans for the future of the Marcie Mazzola Foundation

Mazzola: Although we do not have any current direct programming, we are developing some ideas for the future. Marcie was an avid soccer player, so we are trying to work with a camp or soccer camp to provide a safe, enjoyable environment for children from disadvantaged homes. We want to help children enjoy the same things Marcie enjoyed or was involved in. By developing a camp or assisting one with funding, we can have that kind of effect on Long Island. We are looking to expand and develop services that are not offered on Long Island. There are potential delivery holes in the services provided here and we would like to be able to fill those voids. We will work toward that goal whether it requires the development of a new program, or the support of programs that are established.

Cerini: What kinds of events does the foundation produce?

Mazzola: We have a yearly silent auction dinner which is a real tribute to Marcie's life. This year's dinner is on October 27th and we expect it to surpass last year's event. We are getting involved in creating awareness programs across Long Island. People are unaware of the prevalence of domestic violence and sexual abuse in their own communities. One focus of our mission is to educate people and prevent abuse. Education can make a difference in many individual's lives. Our daughter wanted to make a difference in the lives of everyone she encountered. Marcie's death was devastating and it is devastating every day she is not here with us. We must continue on in her name, spreading her mission to construct a happy and safe environment for children here on Long Island.

Address: 158 Burr Road, Commack, NY 11725

President: Nancy Mazzola

Phone: (631) 858-1855

Website: www.marciemazzolafoundation.org

Founded: 2003

Staff: 0

Annual Budget: $75,000

Fundraised Budget: $75,000

Program Services: 80%

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Reproduced with permission. Copyright © 2005, Long Island Business News