NORTH CAPE MAY – Many don’t ordinarily associate chocolate chip cookies – the extra sweet and gooey kind – with good health and recovery from life-threatening illnesses.
Frank Squeo, founder of the non-profit “Baking Memories 4 Kids” organization sees the connection very clearly.
On Nov. 24, just two days before Thanksgiving, he and his volunteer bakers saw to it that 3-year-old Naomi Porch of North Cape May and her family, realize a dream that will likely help heal their souls, as well as provide therapeutic comfort for their state of mind during Naomi’s medical crisis.
Baking Memories 4 Kids raises money through the online sale of chocolate chip cookies from November through the Christmas holidays. According to Squeo, the organization enlisted 400 volunteers nationwide last year to bake and distribute the delicacies.
Because of the efforts of Baking Memories 4 Kids, with the assistance of Villas Volunteer Fire Company, the family received an early-morning, lights-and-sirens welcome that formally announced that Naomi and her family will be sent on an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World to create memories that will likely last a lifetime for the entire family.
Friends, family, police, firefighters and news media gathered to witness the event, and to see Naomi’s reaction to all the noise and commotion.
Naomi was born prematurely and suffered brain damage that resulted in her inability to speak, eat or talk. She has since been diagnosed with Quad Cerebral Palsy, a direct result of the damage that occurred at birth.
Naomi, a bright-eyed and engaging 3-year-old, loves Disney characters; her bedroom is crowded with all things Disney according to her father Shawn.
Months ago, Naomi’s grandmother Darlene Rosemiller was looking online to find some way that the family could take Naomi to Disney World. She knew that the financial burden would be overwhelming; they estimated that it would take 10 years of saving to have a chance to take her.
The physical challenges to accommodate Naomi’s condition, such as special wheelchairs, etc. also presented a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
Rosemiller searched the Internet for ways to accomplish the task. She immediately saw the Baking Memories 4 Kids website that explained its mission to make memories for children with life-threatening diseases by raising money through the sale of chocolate chip cookies to fund special trips.
She completed the application, and very soon thereafter, Squeo called her. They spoke for about an hour, and the rest is history.
Shawn and adoptive mother Melissa could hardly contain themselves as dozens of well-wishers crowded around the front lawn to their tiny, immaculate home in North Cape May.
As photographers and well-wishers swirled around them, the smile never left their faces “I can’t believe all this,” said Shawn over and over.
Melissa laughed and announced that all the sirens and lights would not bother Naomi because she loves noisy events for some reason.
Bill Rosemiller, of Greater Cape May Elks Lodge 2839, showed the community’s appreciation for the Baking Memories 4 Kids organization by presenting Squeo with a $500 donation.
The family is scheduled to leave on its Disney adventure March 9.
In a way, all the family, friends, Baking Memories 4 Kids, and first responders who assembled to witness this event will be going to Disney World with Naomi as well.
Those wishing information about Baking Memories 4 Kids, or to order cookies, should visit: BakingMemories4Kids.org.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
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