Yard sale will support Catena teacher's family
BY ELANA ARON Correspondent

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - What began as a small project to help a beloved Freehold Township elementary school teacher has blossomed into a full-fledged communal outpouring of love.

Girl Scout Troop 1762 leaders Tammy Costa, Paula Trochiano and Kathy Ciccarone, and Donna Huskey and Carol Schandel of Troop 1758, wanted to help raise funds for the family of Heidi Valentine, a second-grade teacher at the Joseph J. Catena School whose husband, Joe, 38, has multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer, which was diagnosed in April. The couple have two children under the age of 2.

Joe Valentine teaches elementary physical education in Millburn.

The troop leaders decided to hold a yard sale to help raise funds for the family. The yard sale will be held, rain or shine, on May 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Catena School, Burlington Road, off Kozloski Road.

"I can't stress to you enough how much the children adore her," Costa said, speaking about Heidi Valentine. "She makes the children feel very, very special."

As word spread of the yard sale, community members, teachers, business owners and parents began mobilizing, offering help and support.

Freehold Storage, Jerseyville Road, offered free storage units to store all of the items that have been donated; local business operators donated gift items; and Dan Benbrook, of Coldwell Banker, paid for a full-page ad to spread word of the sale.

"It's the mother of all yard sales," Costa said. "A yard sale like no other. People have just gone far and beyond and spread the word."

According to Costa, donated items have been pouring in, as well as community members pitching in any way they can. In addition, other Girl Scout troops will be helping with the effort by holding bake sales and coming out for the day of the sale.

"We have everything from high-end clothing, furniture, and household goods to toys, plumbing fixtures, seasonal items, craft supplies and baby items," Costa said.

In addition to the upcoming yard sale, every day inMay has been declared a special day dedicated to the Valentine family, with a different gift being delivered to their door every day. The gifts come from donations from local businesses. Some of the gifts include gift cards to Wal-Mart, food markets, Barnes & Noble, and restaurants.

"We needed to give the kids an opportunity to give back," Costa said. "What started out as a small thing to raise money has turned into a true community effort. We're all just coming together. We need a miracle for Mrs. Valentine She's someone worthy of a miracle."

Items to be donated can be dropped off at Freehold Storage, Jerseyville Road (off Business Rout 33). For more information about how to help the Valentine family, send an e-mail to tammygio@ optonline.net.