A Day of Service and Remembrance on Casey Feldman’s First ‘Angelversary’ – July 17, 2010

Bob Gibson, Steve Kennedy, Jason Spector and Brett Feldman (Casey’s brother-front) painting the interior of the shelter

July 17, 2010 marked the one year anniversary of the death of Casey, a  2006 graduate of Springfield High School and Fordham University senior who was struck and killed in a crosswalk last summer in Ocean City, N.J. In keeping with the spirit of this past year in honoring Casey Feldman’s memory in a positive way, the Feldman family and Casey’s friends dedicated the day to service. On her first “angelversary,” many of Casey’s family members and friends, as well as those who never even knew Casey but were inspired by her story, volunteered their time and service in different cities to remember and honor Casey’s life.

On the morning after the dedication of another pink tree to Casey’s memory in Cumberland County, N.J., over 40 volunteers traveled to the Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals in Radnor, PA, including Casey’s parents, Dianne and Joel, and her brother Brett. After the Day of Service, the whole interior of the two story no-kill animal shelter was painted.

Melissa Zirolli, Annette Newlin, Emily Hobson, Joel Feldman and Matt Thornton painting the 2nd floor hallway.

“This is a genuinely invaluable gift to Francisvale,”, commented Executive Director, Jodi Button, “The opportunity to put a new face on an over 100 year-old establishment will pay substantial dividends to the animals, volunteers, donors, community partners and staff alike – to say nothing of what a marvelous lift it is to morale.”

At lunch everyone gathered to acknowledge Casey’s contributions to the world, in her life and in her passing, and to dedicate the collaborative act of goodwill to her memory via a plaque that will hang forevermore in a prominent place at Francisvale.

Casey’s cousin Jamie and Aunt Janice Gallagher remembered Casey by volunteering their time at the Beacon Animal Rescue in Ocean View, N.J. They walked dogs and donated food to the animals, a cause which was close to Casey’s heart.

In Chicago, Casey’s cousins, Drs. Ted and Marie Feldman and their daughters, Tess, Katie, and Julia cooked dinner for 18 families at the Ronald McDonald house. “We proudly wore our pink Casey T-shirts as we cooked and served the meal and we told Casey’s story to the director at the Ronald McDonald house,” the Feldmans said.

Cousin Jamie Gallagher walking a dog at Beacon Animal Rescue on July 17, 2010.

In Springfield, Casey’s friends Amber Staska, Rachel Kemmey, and Jackie Cahill organized a more intimate clean-up of three parks in town. The girls recalled fond memories of cleaning up the beaches in Sea Isle City during high school with Casey, and beautified Elson Glenn, Walsh Park, and Library Park in her memory.

The Ceffaratti family, family friends, fed the homeless in Philadelphia. Michael,” We had a wonderful day. We provided at least 75 lunches and lots and lots of ice cold water. We also got to spend time just talking and listening to homeless men and women. Many also asked us to pray with them. They loved our shirts and we were able to share Casey’s story and Casey’s love with them. One homeless woman asked me to bring her a Casey shirt next time. I know that Casey would like that….My mom [Rachael Ceffaratt] couldn’t come to Philly but she wanted to honor Casey, so she paid for the food in Casey’s honor.”

Rachel Kemmey, Amber Staska, and Jackie Cahill on the Day of Service.

The entire staff at Bob’s Grill in Ocean City, N.J. wore the pink, “I Brake For Pedestrians” t-shirts in Casey’s memory (Casey had been walking to her job at Bob’s Grill last summer at the time of her accident) as did the staff at the 14th St. Bike and Surrey Rental. Visible on the entire fleet of Ocean City Municipal vehicles were the pink, “Stop For Pedestrians” bumper magnets.

Following the day of service, more friends and family gathered at the Feldman’s home in Springfield for dinner and to release some 60 pink balloons into the sky. Casey’s spirit was visible as everyone donned their pink “I Brake for Pedestrians” t-shirts and released a balloon into the heavens with a loving message for Casey.

View more photos from July 17, 2010 in Casey Feldman photo gallery site.  Contribute to the Casey Feldman Foundation and make this world a better place. Visit The Brotherly Love Project to learn more about the efforts of the Cefarratti family and others to feed the needy in Philadelphia.

The Chicago cousins baking cookies for the Ronald McDonald house.

Releasing pink balloons into heaven for Casey