For the childhood cancer awareness foundation Frankie’s Mission, named after the son of founder Camille Loccisano, 2016 is already shaping up to be a promising year.
To kick the year off, the organization gathered at the Green Spa and Wellness Center, which presented the group with a check for $1,000 to aid families coping with pediatric cancer. The donation was a result of Frankie’s Mission’s September, 2015, Go Gold campaign, meant to engage local businesses, residents, educational institutions and groups in the organization’s cause during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
From Park Slope to Bensonhurst, gold ribbons were pinned in honor of those coping with pediatric cancer and their families. ALC Italian Grocery, Beyond Dance, Body Reserve of Park Slope, the Book Mark Shoppe, C-Gal Jewelers, Charmed of Third Avenue, Investors Bank, Kaleidoscope Toy Store, Lighthouse Diner, Norma’s Craft Store, Rocco’s Calamari, Sarta Realty, Pollina Pharmacy and PigGuyNYC are just a few of the businesses that took part in the pin-up campaign. As a result a significant amount of money was raised.
“It was wonderful seeing our avenue go gold thanks to all our wonderful merchants and our community,” said Dominic Sarta, owner of Sarta Realty and president of the Thirteenth Avenue Merchants Association, expressing his hope that the contributions and awareness continue throughout the year and aren’t confined to September.
This is the second year that the Green Spa got involved with the Go Gold campaign. Creating a unique month long menu, owners Maria Ingardia and Sheila Brody embraced the concept by providing gold-themed treatments for interested clients. All proceeds were given to Frankie’s Mission and its family support program.
Loccisano, founder of Frankie’s Mission, said she was, “Grateful for everyone that helped go gold on so many different levels. Green Spa did it in the creative sense, and families put gold ribbons on their door. That’s what gets the conversation going; people will ask why it’s there.”
Loccisano also expressed her appreciation for the efforts of local not-for-profit Bay Ridge Cares, which kicked off the Go Gold Bay Ridge campaign in 2014.