Moonjumpers Benefit at Jellyfish on May 7 for Huntington Alum

 Kaila Harlan is a real sweetheart. Just ask her friends, family and former teachers at Huntington High School. She’s so well-liked the community’s heart sank when it heard the young woman was battling leukemia. The Moonjumpers Charitable Foundation will host a benefit on her behalf at Jellyfish in Centerport on Monday, May 7 from 7-10 p.m.

Ms. Harlan, a member of Huntington’s Class of 2009, was ready to enter her junior year at York College in Pennsylvania where she is studying nursing, when a routine blood test revealed she had leukemia. Intensive treatment, including a bone marrow transplant followed, requiring her to put college on hold. Treatments are continuing.

Tickets for the May 7 event are on sale for $50. They can be purchased through the Moonjumpers website at www.moonjumpers.org or at the door. A delectable menu is planned along with a cash bar. Dozens of exciting raffles are also on tap. A top DJ will be spinning tunes all night and dancing is definitely on the agenda.

Most of the proceeds from the May 7 event will go to COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association), which has set up an account to help pay Ms. Harlan’s medical bills now and in the future.” The organization’s website can be located at http://www.cota.org/.

Those attending the fundraiser will be among the first to get an inside look at Jellyfish, a sleek new waterfront restaurant located between the Mill Pond House and the Thatched Cottage. Jellyfish can be found at 441 E. Main Street on Route 25A. It has not yet had its official opening, but is already the talk of the town. Moonjumpers will have the entire restaurant to itself, including the stunning wine cellar.

Moonjumpers Board of Directors & Friends

Moonjumpers marked its public debut last November 17 with an event at Napper Tandy’s in Northport to benefit the holiday gift-giving initiative of the Family Service League and Tri-CYA. Proceeds allowed for the purchase of hundreds of children’s presents and made the holidays much brighter for many local families.

The new foundation is a registered New York State non-profit organization. Its 501(c)(3) 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 struggling families along with injured war veterans and others in need.

Ms. Harlan was sold on a nursing career after completing a senior year student-internship at Huntington Hospital. She was active throughout high school as a member of the Key club, a group that helps others in need. Ironically, now she’s the one that requires assistance.

“Kaila’s story is a compelling one and it really touched our organization,” Moonjumpers President Peter Mazzeo said. “We have come to understand she is a very hardworking young lady with a bright future. We want to do our part to help her and the Harlan family during their time of need.”

For more information about Moonjumpers or to get involved in the organization send an e-mail to info@moonjumpers.org.