HOWELL – Howell native Cassie Petty will be making a difference in the lives of many this Valentine’s Day with homemade care packages for women undergoing chemotherapy.
“I’ve always had a passion for philanthropic causes and it really set sail in college as a member of my sorority, Gamma Phi Beta,” said Petty.
During college, Petty and her sorority sisters would participate in philanthropic events and perform volunteer work, and she cultivated a passion for helping others. Combining this passion with an interest in sports, Petty began work in the Community Relations department with the New York Giants football team following graduation.
In this position, she engages in various kinds of community events. She noted that on holidays, the department visits hospitals and distributes care packages to patients who are sick and can’t be home to celebrate with their family and friends.
This became her inspiration for her current project.
“As a member of the department, I put together the care packages and thought to myself, how amazing would it be if I could do something like this on my own terms, aside from my usual involvement with such a wonderful tradition at work,” said Petty.
Petty said that she wanted to replicate the department’s community efforts by contributing in her own way, on a personal level. Asking friends and family members to contribute, she has been raising money to put together care packages for female chemotherapy patients in local New Jersey hospitals. She plans to distribute the packages on Valentine’s Day morning.
Each care package will contain candies, lotion, Chapstick, fuzzy socks, mints, gum, hand sanitizer, tissues, tea, mouth wash, and a heartfelt note from Petty. She noted that the bags will be purchased through a specific brand which she also represents called Stella & Dot.
“The cool part about the bags is that it ties in the brand and what it represents, which is also dedicated to the idea of supporting the community,” she said.
The packages will be brought to female patients at a local North Jersey hospital near the Giants facility. Petty noted she does not wish to disclose the name of the hospital yet, pending permission from the hospital.
“I plan on delivering all of the care packages on the morning of Valentine’s Day with one of my good friends, Rachel, who I’ve grown up with in Howell, also accompanied by one of my coworkers who is a cancer survivor herself,” said Petty. “My goal is to raise enough money to fill 25 care packages and I am asking for anyone interested in sponsoring one to give $25 per package.”
Petty began this philanthropic endeavor on her own, but has since recruited the efforts of other individuals that are very willing to contribute to the cause, like her friend Rachel. She hopes that her efforts can inspire others to help out, even if that means they are simply performing an act of kindness for another person.
“The more smiles I can bring to the faces of these brave women who are undergoing chemotherapy, the better,” said Petty.
If you would like to donate to Petty’s cause, you can email her directly at cassielpetty@gmail.com.
