MAPLEWOOD ROTARY PLEDGES $10,000 TO SAINT BARNABAS NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN HONOR OF LOCAL MIRACLE BABY

In celebration of the wonder and miracle of Baby Aria Grace Calvosa, The Maplewood Rotary Club has made a $10,000.00 pledge to the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Foundation in support of the amazing, life-saving work being done by the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Livingston, New Jersey.

The members of the club and Aria’s Mommy, Angel, who is also a Maplewood Rotarian, will be honored at a celebratory breakfast on Monday, March 17th.

Baby Aria, was given less than 5% chance of survival to birth and faced a multitude of physical challenges during gestation.  On September 12, 2013, she made her dramatic entrance to the world and was born prematurely at a mere one pound and twelve ounces.  She immediately demonstrated a champion’s spirit by refusing intubation and a ventilator.  Aria resided in the Saint Barnabas NICU for nearly three months and overcame every challenge.  The life saving equipment in the hospital was purchased via donations from generous benefactors.  She is now a happy, healthy 6 month old.

Angel and her husband, Greg, say it brings tears to their eyes every time they stop and think about the outpouring of love, caring and support that the members of her Rotary Club have shown them on their journey in life with Aria. “It is simply amazing what they have done” Angel says every time she gets a chance.

The club funds its pledges to programs such as this from the proceeds of its annual Affair of the Heart dinner/dance held each spring. This event supports the club’s involvement in projects worldwide that help save children’s lives. Whether it is a Gift of Life medical mission to Siberia to perform children’s heart surgeries, vaccinating youngsters in Afghanistan against the polio virus, or providing much needed equipment at a hospital unit such as the NICU at Saint Barnabas, the Maplewood Rotary Club is there, ready to act. All the club’s member say “ what greater gift can there be, than to save the life of a child?”

This year’s Affair of the Heart dinner will be held on Friday, April 4th, 7:00 p.m. at the Maplewood Country Club. Susan and Fred Profeta will be honored at the dinner with the annual Maplewood Rotary Citizenship Award. Reservations are required and tickets are limited. The cost to attend is $100.00 per person. To make a reservation or to obtain more information, please contact our event Co-Chairpersons, Rick Porter at rickporter10@gmail.com or Steve Gussen at sjgussen@gmail.com