From left, Bill Mazur, Ann Giovanni, Tracy Mazur, and Laura and Josh Vadell.
VENTNOR – This Blue Life Matters…The Josh Vadell Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to New Jersey police officers critically injured in the line of duty and offers support to families who may be experiencing trauma or tragic loss, has donated $1,000 to a family displaced by a fire that destroyed their Dream Bay condominium rental in the early morning hours Thursday, Jan. 12. Although no one was injured, the fire destroyed two units at 3 N. Somerset Ave. and displaced Sabrina Giovanni and her two young daughters.
Foundation member Bill Mazur and his wife Tracy were touched when they read a newspaper account about the efforts being undertaken to support the family.
“Tracy experienced similar circumstances when she was a child and knows how traumatic that can be,” Mazur wrote in an email to Ventnor Mayor Beth Holtzman who was on hand for the donation. “I spoke with our friends Josh and Laura Vadell about the donation and they, without hesitation, agreed to the contribution as did the rest of the board.”
The Mazurs contributed $300 and the foundation contributed $700.
The foundation was formed after Atlantic City Police Officer Josh Vadell was shot and critically wounded in the line of duty on Sept. 3, 2016. After receiving an outpouring of support from the community, the Vadells established the foundation in January 2017 to give back to the community.
“They live their lives with gratitude, resilience and intention to give back to the community that gave to them,” Mazur said when he presented the check to Sabrina Giovanni’s mother, Ann, who lives next door to the mayor.
Sabrina Giovanni, 29, and her two daughters, ages 3 and 5, have been staying with their mother and grandmother since the fire and are looking for a place to live, the mayor’s daughter Paula Maccagnano said.
Maccagnano, who is friends with Sabrina Giovanni, set up a GoFundMe page, which surpassed its $2,000 goal within hours, Maccagnano said.
The effort has raised $4,200 so far, not including other donations, such as clothing, household goods and cash contributions, including the Vadell Foundation donation.
Sabrina Giovanni wants to stay in Ventnor, where the children attend public school and the family has lived forever, Maccagnano said.
Anyone who has a suitable place for the family to lease can call Paula Maccagnano at 609-442-5289.
From left, Ventnor Mayor Beth Holtzman, Ann Giovanni, Tracy Mazur and Laura and Josh Vadell.
