Alyssa’s Angels Breaks Ground
West Long Branch - Sunlight flashed off the chrome plated shovels that lifted the soil at Conway Park to begin the long awaited construction of a specially equipped playground that can be enjoyed by all children, together, regardless of their individual abilities and disabilities.
But perhaps at first, it will be a park for Alyssa Cantaffa, who has provided the inspiration for family and friends and an entire community to build a special facility. uniquely designed and engineered to meet the needs of special children, but which can be used by all children together.
Alyssa's Angels Foundation was founded in May 2004 in honor of Alyssa, who was born perfectly healthy, but who developed an illness as an infant called Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, that changed her life. This illness left Alyssa mentally and physically disabled. At the time, her doctors gave her a fifty percent chance of living. Her mother, Casey, says it is a true miracle that she is alive today.
The park is an expensive project due to its special nature and purpose. The technology has been used before in other parks, each designed for its unique location and physical environment.
In January of 2009 it will be three years since the foundation contacted Mayor Janet Tucci with the idea of building a handicap accessible park.
"This project is costing us approximately $300,000. So far about $275,000 has been raised," Casey said. "We have so many park sponsors to thank. Without their generosity we would not have been able to even start the project."
The Foundation has provided other help for children in the years of its existence, all in Monmouth County. Due to federal restrictions, Alyssa's Angels is able to assist residents and organizations located in Monmouth County only.