Community Corner

Neptune Family To Be Honored By Wall-based Charity

Annual Michael's Feat picnic to recognize family whose seriously ill triplets are now thriving

A Neptune family will be honored at the upcoming Michael’s Feat charity picnic scheduled for Aug. 4 in Marlboro.

The event, scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m., annually draws a crowd of more than 300 and features activities for the entire family. 

Michael’s Feat, a nonprofit organization, is named in memory of Michael Gerard Puharic, born July 29, 2000, to Wall residents Adam and Dana Puharic. Although Michael lived for just 83 hours; his legacy lives on through the hundreds of families that have been helped by Michael’s Feat within the past 11 years, according to a release from Michael’s Feat.

The 12th Annual Michael’s Feat Family will be held at the YMCA Camp Arrowhead in Marlboro to benefit families of seriously-ill newborns in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Neptune residents Tim and Laura Gaedt, parents of triplets born at 28 weeks at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, will be honored with the organization’s Heather Rose Tribute of Courage Award, according to the release.

The Wall-based organization that gives assistance to parents of seriously ill newborns each year honors a family with the award, which was established in memory of Heather Rose Kiss who lost her fight to a rare autoimmune reaction.

Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Gaedt family received assistance from Michael’s Feat following the birth of their triplets — Ava, Jared and Sophia on September 8, 2011.

The triplets were in the neonatal intensive car unit for 11 weeks. While the triplets are happy and thriving at home, Jared continues to struggle with periventricular leukomalacia; Sophia has auditory neuropathy, a rare hearing disorder, and Ava has a kidney condition that is monitored closely.

“I found out about Michael’s Feat and the services they provide when I was in the hospital,” said Laura Gaedt. “I reached out to them and Dana Puharic helped put me in touch with other parents of babies with PVL. I met with them and learned about PVL programs.”

A barbeque buffet, covered picnic area, a swimming pool with lifeguard on duty, crafts, face painting, inflatable rides and live musical entertainment highlight the program from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission prices are: Adults $25, Children aged 4-10 $12 and 3 and younger free.  

There is an immediate family plan of $70. Register online at www.michaelsfeat.org before August 1 and save $10 on a family rate and $5 on one adult admission.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here