By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
EAST WINDSOR — Township resident David Jasper, 13, has organized a marathon baseball game from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 6 at the Police Athletic League fields, 30 Airport Rd.
"I’m definitely excited,” David said, who is a seventh-grader at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School.
The charity baseball event, Going, Going, Gone, was incepted by David to raise money the Valerie Fund, which offers treatment for children fighting cancer and blood disorders. It has facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
David said the organization worked with his cousin, Leo, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was three.
"I really think that I’m just happy that they were able to help him and get him better because that was definitely a tough time . . . It was tough for me,” David said.
Today Leo is 8.
"He’s definitely doing better,” David said.
"The Valerie Fund literally saved Leo’s life and, to give them (a) hand, David is looking to provide much-needed funds to this special organization,” said Linda Bernstein Jasper, who is Leo’s mother.
David is a member of Congregation Beth Chaim in Princeton Junction. The charity baseball game is his Bar Mitzvah project.
"I realized that I could pick the charity that helped my cousin survive,” David said.
The cost is $10 to participate in the marathon baseball game. David encouraged players, both girls and boys, between the ages of 11 to 14 to sign up.
David’s father, Larry Jasper, said he expects a minimum of 20 kids.
The event is also open to people of other ages for the minimum $10 donation.
David said he hopes to raise $1,000 for the Valerie Fund as a result of Going, Going, Gone.
David plays for Hightstown East Windsor Youth Baseball League as a catcher. He said he has been playing since the age of 5.
At the start of the Going, Going, Gone baseball game Leo will be throwing the first pitch to David.
Baseball players are advised to bring their gloves.
Additionally, there will be raffles for prizes, including major and minor league baseball tickets and gift certificates to local restaurants.
"I think it’s tremendous,” Mr. Jasper said of his son’s charity baseball game. Mr. Jasper said that, “without a doubt,” the Valerie foundation helped Leo recover.
"He’s doing great,” Mr. Jasper said.
While David was born in Plainsboro, Mr. Jasper grew up in East Windsor. He and his wife, Lisa, relocated their family to East Windsor several years ago.
"He’s been getting a tremendous amount of support from the community,” Mr. Jasper said.
He said that HEWYBL and the East Windsor Police Athletic League “have been great.” For instance, the police league donated the use its PAL field for Going, Going, Gone.
"He’s gotten sponsorships and donations from local businesses,” his father stated.
In addition to EWPAL and HEWYBL, the following local businesses and organizations have donated to Going, Going, Gone: Wegman’s Markets; Diana P. Lang Photography; Sal’s Pizza; Bagel Street; City Streets Café; Rita’s Water Ice; Trenton Thunder; Lakewood Blue Claws; Via Roma; David Bradley Chocolatier; and Meade & Associates.
To learn more about Going, Going, Gone, send an e-mail to David via [email protected].
To learn about the Valerie Fund visit www.thevaleriefund.org. For people wishing to donate for David’s event, they are asked use the keyword “BASEBALL” on the donor page of the site.
