The Jadon Strong Foundation will hold its second annual Night of Hope winter gala on Saturday, Feb. 17.
“We hope that people can recognize our passion and understand why we’re so persistent and why we continue to do these things,” said Caisse Gore, the foundation’s founder. “We have to honor Jadon. It is our life’s work at this point …
“Raising awareness for … these families and getting people to understand the impact of their donations would be a great thing.”
Gore started the foundation in honor of her son Jadon, who passed away in 2022 after a 13-month battle with the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma. Its mission is to provide emotional and financial support to families facing pediatric brain cancer.
“This foundation gives us a purpose to wake up in the morning and function as humans,” Gore explained. “We lost our baby and it’s very hard, but this foundation and the work that we’re doing and that we intend to do forever, it just gives us the fuel to keep pushing and it’s our why …
“Why are we making these phone calls today?” she added. “Because our goal is to help these families.”
Gore said she looks forward to the day when there are unlimited resources to help as many families as possible.
“Because being a family who’s gone through this nightmare, every penny counts,” Gore added. “Every small donation counts when you’re trying to feed a family or trying to house children or pay for medical expenses … Anything helps.”
The winter gala kicks off at 7 p.m. at The Merion in Cinnaminson and will be hosted by 6ABC news anchor and reporter Rick Williams. Included will be cocktails and dinner, raffle prizes, an auction and live entertainment from musicians. Comedian Marcely Jean-Pierre will also perform.
“Guests can expect to be completely captivated – and I stand by this – from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave,” Gore promised. “ … Last year was an extraordinary evening. I think this year is going to be even more incredible for a multitude of reasons.”
State Sen. Troy Singleton will also be honored for the second time at the gala.
“The senator has just been an example for us as a foundation on how to give back to others, how to help others and be selfless in your approach …” Gore noted. “He just does so much for the community, and we’re just truly inspired by him, which is why we chose to honor him once again this year.”
For more information on the winter gala and the foundation, visit www.jadonstrong.org.
“I know it’s going to be my life’s work to honor Jadon,” Gore acknowledged. “I’m proud of the work that we’re doing and its blood, sweat and tears, but there’s nothing I would rather do to honor Jadon than this …
“I’m excited about where we’re going and how this is evolving.”
