HOWELL — Steve Bernhardt and Megan Migioia will host their second annual Nick Vega Memorial Dodgeball Tournament fundraiser on Dec. 20 at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township, in honor of their friend.
“Nick passed away in the summer of 2013 after a long battle (with cancer) and we wanted to honor his legacy in any way possible,” Migioia said. “The money raised goes directly to the Frances Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that greatly helped Nick smile and helped his parents with bills throughout his battle. The charity is not in his name, but the tournaments we run are in honor of him.”
The Frances Foundation helps children and families in Monmouth and Ocean counties who are battling cancer and tries to make the fight more bearable, Bernhardt and Migioia said.
“Throughout the year, the foundation sends children to sporting events, holds barbecues and parties for them, helps to pay outstanding medical bills, sends flowers on Mother’s Day, anything they can do to put a smile on their faces,” the pair said. “We teamed up with the Frances Foundation because they helped the Vega family in the past and we wanted to help kids like Nick with their fight and in their time of struggle.”
Last year, the pair raised more than $3,000. They hope to surpass that amount this year.
“Our goal every year is to raise as much money as we can to help the warriors (people battling cancer),” Bernhardt and Migioia said.
To the two, Vega was a warrior in his spirit and attitude.
“Nick Vega is a Howell legend. Throughout high school he battled cancer so graciously and really stood out to everyone as a warrior. His smile and laugh was so contagious. Not only was he a good friend of mine, but he was also an inspiration to me. He lived life how everyone should, with a smile and a positive attitude,” Migioia said.
“Nick was an amazing kid,” Bernhardt said. “He always had a smile on his face and made everyone around him laugh. We started doing these tournaments (Nick Vega memorial roller hockey tournaments and dodgeball) to pass on his legacy as well as the amazing work the Frances Foundation has done to help the Vega family throughout their time of need.”
Many members of the community have come together to make the fundraiser possible.
“There are many people whose efforts do not go unnoticed,” Migioia said. “Myself, Steve Bernhardt, Lauren Pericone, Jessica Kenny and Mark Ferrante have been planning this tournament.”
“With the help of Bob Huegle, who is the president of the Frances Foundation, a large number of Nick’s friends and the community have also helped. BJ’s Wholesale Club, for last year’s tournament and this one, has donated a $250 gift card for us to use for the tournament. Lastly and most importantly, we could not have done this without the help of (Nick’s parents) Paul and Edith Vega. Their love and support is immeasurable,” Migioia said.
To participate in the dodgeball tournament ($15 per player), contact Migioia or Bernhardt ahead of time and provide a full roster of six players and a team name. Teams must check in at 4 p.m. and play will begin at 4:30 p.m. Matching uniforms are encouraged.
Contact Bernhardt at 732-865-5615 or bernha99@students.rowan.edu or Migioia at 908-907-3378 or megmigioia@yahoo.com for more information.
There is no cost to attend the event, but attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift to donate for children between the ages of 2 to 18. The gifts will be donated to the Howell PAL.
The YMCA of Western Monmouth County is at 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold Township.
“We also host a Nick Vega Memorial Roller Hockey Tournament during the summer at Deerwood Park in Howell. This past summer we raised over $5,000. If anyone would like to make a donation to the Frances Foundation they can mail it to 8 Bryce Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733 or visit http://www.francesfoundation.net or check the Frances Foundation Facebook page,” Migioia or Bernhardt said.