Two Ellwood City girls know two things for sure this holiday season … they miss their “pap” and want to help those with cancer.
Maura (9), and Ella (5) Fauzey are teaming up with Club Hope Foundation for a “Hugs for Pap” Blanket drive in honor of their Grandfather, Tony Celli, who died in April of pancreatic cancer.
Claire Fauzey, the girls’ mother, said they came up with idea. She said they have been struggling with the grief of the loss of their beloved “pap” and this is a way for them to honor him and help other warriors struggling with cancer.
“The girls helped Jonathan and I take care of my dad when he was sick, and now that is gone it’s a big void in our family,” she said.
Blankets can be dropped off at the following locations throughout the month of December:
- Venezie Sporting Goods
- The Color Center
- Posies By Patti
- Holy Redeemer Church
- Dave’s Hometown Shop-N-Save
- McElwain Motors and Chevrolet
- Al’s Corner
- First United Methodist Church
- The Tee Box
- The Eric Ryan Corporation
The girls are featured in a video on the Club Hope Foundation’s Facebook page where they describe their reason for starting the drive.
“We are teaming up with Club Hope and we are calling it ‘Hugs for Pap’ because there is no better way to honor our pap than to help others in their fight,” Maura said.
Claire said the drive has been a comfort to the girls, who felt such a loss when Celli died in April. She said it is really helping the young duo get into the Christmas by seeing the boxes around town and checking them to see if any blankets have been dropped off.
“They saw my dad do so many nice things for them and other people,” she said. “They are doing it to honor him around the holidays.”
What a great idea for honoring “Pap” Tony Celli. Good job,Maura and Ella. And, of course, Mom and Dad. Have a happy Christmas!
Do they have to be new blankets? I know some clients that have asked about a blanket drop off? Thanks and you go girls. What a great idea to honor your pap.