Celebrate women this Sunday afternoon at FunTime America in support of the Heather Newman Trapp Fund.
Newmann-Trapp, according to police, in Dec. 2011. He then abducted their two daughters, Emma and Sophia, and brought them to a New York motel, according to police. When police located him, he released the girls and allegedly committed suicide. The daughters were unharmed.
Looking for a way to help Emma and Sophia, family friend Philip Simon created the Heather Newman Trapp Fund. According to a Dec. 20, 2011 article in the Staten Island Advance, in the first few days the fund existed, online donations exceeded $40,000. Donations have now reached just over $85,000, according to the fund's website.
The goal of the fund is to raise at least $100,000 for the girls' current and lifelong needs, the website says. Emma and Sophia are being cared for by their grandmother, Francine, and their aunt, Jamie.
"We want to raise enough funds for them so that money is never an issue. They are going to have a lot to deal with, so we want to eliminate that stress for them and have them able to live a great life as if both parents were here to support them," said Kathy Bocklage, who organized "Celebrating Women."
The event is three-fold, Bocklage explained. It will raise money for the Heather Newman Trapp Fund, benefit local businesses and vendors, and raise awareness about domestic violence.
"I just thought it would be a really good way to raise money for the girls and help small businesses at the same time," said Bocklage. "The idea just kind of popped in my head and there it went."
Bocklage, who is a domestic violence survivor, had friends who knew Newman-Trapp. Their daughters also attend school together.
"Another mom who did know her phoned me the day this happened. It just kind of really hit a sensitive spot. My business is massage and my goal in life is to help and heal people. It kind of forwarded me into a good situation to bring awareness to something I've been through," Bocklage said.
And so, with the help of Bocklage's friend Jodie Intili, the day was created.
Celebrating Women will run from 12 p.m. to 4p.m. on Sunday, June 10. It costs $10 per adult and children are free. Each child will receive a free wristband, courtesy of FunTime America, for unlimited rides that day at the facility. Local businesses and vendors will have tables set up in the Reflections room at FunTime America with a variety of products and services, including pocket books, kids’ accessories, massages, jewelry, fashion, spa treatments, make up, wickless candles, or hair accessories. Two domestic violence organizations, Women Aware and In Her Shoes DIVA, will also be there to spread awareness.
Some businesses intend to donate a part of the proceeds to the Heather Newman Trapp Fund, Bocklage said. Pampered Chef plans to donate 20% of their earnings.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a tricky tray.
Reflections, the Party Room at FunTime America, is located at 111 Hwy 35 South in Cliffwood.
If you are interested in donating but cannot attend on Sunday, online donations can be made here.
