Mary’s Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove has received two grants totaling $150,000 to support the Oncology Massage Program at the facility as well as the new state-of-the-art elevator at 22 Main Ave.
The grants are from the Leonard B. Kahn Foundation.
Anthony Salerno, CPA, a resident of Avon, served as a foundation trustee. He was instrumental in identifying Mary’s Place and supporting the application for these funds.
“While Mr. Kahn supported some “big names” he also wanted local charities to benefit,” Salerno said.
Grants to 32 organizations, including $150,000 to Mary’s Place, totaled $4,215,000 were approved on April 5, 2017.
“On behalf of the women with cancer who come to Mary’s Place by the Sea, it is an honor to be recognized by the Leonard Kahn Foundation. This award is the largest single gift we have received to date and will be used to directly support our guests,” said Felicia Levine, director of development for Mary’s Place by the Sea.
During his lifetime and now through his estate, Leonard B. Kahn supported numerous community organizations close to his heart including: faith-based organizations, organizations that support cancer patients and organizations that support children and families with disabilities.
Mary’s Place by the Sea is a non-clinical safe haven for women with cancer, where they can enjoy a break from their medical treatments and daily responsibilities. Mary’s Place provides its guests with a complimentary two-night, three-day stay. Guests enjoy holistic, integrative services such as oncology massage, yoga, nutrition education, meditation, counseling, expressive writing, and more, all free of cost to the guest.
Oncology massage, which can be described as cancer-specific therapeutic touch, is one of the most asked-for services at Mary’s Place. This healing method is tailored specifically to the individual with cancer, and can significantly contribute to one’s overall wellness. The $50,000 grant from the Leonard B. Kahn Foundation will allow Mary’s Place by the Sea to continue to keep this service free for guests.
When Mary’s Place by the Sea first opened in 2009, the organization operated out of two rooms at a bed and breakfast in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Quickly, the demand for services required Mary’s Place by the Sea to rent a four-bedroom home just two years later. The founders saw the difficulty that guests with mobility issues were having climbing the steps to get into the home, as well as navigating the stairs to the bedrooms. Thus, when it came time to construct a new, state-of-the-art, ten-bedroom home in Ocean Grove, the founders and builders worked together to make the new home completely handicap and wheelchair accessible. The new elevator aids the transport of our guests to each floor, throughout the three-story building. The $100,000 grant from the Kahn foundation has made this possible.
“We are grateful beyond words to the Leonard B. Kahn Foundation for their belief and support of our mission,” said Michele Gannon, President and Co-Founder of Mary’s Place by the Sea.
