Moonjumpers Donates $3.5K to Support Project T.O.Y.

The holidays will be much brighter for scores of needy children in the Huntington area after Moonjumpers Charitable Foundation donated $3,500 to the Family Service League and Tri-Community and Youth Agency for this year’s Project T.O.Y. (Treasures Our Youth) initiative.

Moonjumpers held its inaugural event last month at Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub in Northport. Dozens of corporate sponsors and a large crowd turned out to dine, dance and sing along with the renowned band Peter Mazzeo & The Hit Squad and special guests Danny Kean and Vance Brescia.

The new foundation is a registered New York State non-profit organization. Its 501(c) tax-exempt status is pending with the Internal Revenue Service. Moonjumpers intends to support initiatives designed to improve the quality of life of children and families along with injured war veterans and others in need.

“We are so gratified with the support we received from the community for our first event,” Moonjumpers President Peter Mazzeo said. “So many people worked so hard to make it a success and to make sure everyone had a good time.”

Dozens of raffles included everything from sports tickets and meals at top notch restaurants to bottles of wine and products from famed designer Vera Wang. National Grid was the event’s main sponsor. “The generosity of local businesses was absolutely incredible,” Mr. Mazzeo said.

Peter Mazzeo & The Hit Squad was joined by exceptional keyboardist and singer Danny Kean and legendary guitarist, singer-songwriter Vance Brescia of Herman’s Hermits. The musicians performed three mind-blowing sets that kept the crowd on its feet and filled the dance floor.

Members of the Moonjumpers’ board of directors traveled to the Tri-Community and Youth Agency facility at the Big H Shopping Center on Nov. 29 and presented twin checks for $1,750 to Tri-CYA’s Debbie Rimler and the Family Service League’s Peggy Boyd. The funds will be used for this year’s Project T.O.Y., which gives parents of struggling families to choose two new unwrapped gifts for their children.

The annual holiday boutique at the Tri-CYA facility is a time of joy for mothers and fathers who are thrilled to be able to provide their children with toys that they otherwise would be unable to afford. “We are so happy to be able to assist with Project T.O.Y. this year,” Mr. Mazzeo said.

Moonjumpers has been quite active in its first few months. It teamed up with Nicky’s of Centerport for a food drive that coincided with the restaurant’s Halloween bash. The event produced 300 pounds of food and $350 in cash contributions, all of which was donated to The Refuge pantry in East Northport.

On Thursday, December 8, Moonjumpers is joining with Black & Blue Seafood Chophouse on Wall Street in Huntington village for a gently used coat drive that will coincide with a three set performance by Peter Mazzeo & The Hit Squad from 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. There is no cover charge. Black & Blue will donate a portion of the evening’s receipts to Moonjumpers for its charitable projects.