Cops & Collegians Go To Bat For Kids With Cancer

By: Julia Bruder

The New Jersey State Troopers are scheduled to take on the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League in a ballgame benefitting children with pediatric cancer. First Energy Park, Home of the Lakewood Blueclaws, will host the game on Sunday, July 26th at 11am.

All proceeds from the ticket sales will go directly to 'Camp Quality,' a NJ non-profit organization dedicated to "letting children with cancer be kids again." Each summer, camp director Frank Dalatto, along with many volunteers (including extraordinary college students from Rutgers, Penn State and Monclair University) provide a week-long, fun-filled event for young cancer patients at a campground in Blairstown.

Dalotto admits that he never saw himself taking on such a role, but finds it a truly rewarding.

"The way Camp Quality got its name is - it was determined we can't do much about the quantity of life but we can certainly do something about the quality," said Dalotto.

The camp provides both adventurous and passive recreational activities for cancer patients ages 5-17. Each child is placed with a "companion," usually a college volunteer who serves as their personal caretaker for the week. The camp is designed to instill a little joy in each child fighting such a tiring battle.

"It's a wonderful program. You go there and meet such wonderful people and the smiles on the kids faces are just awesome," said Dalatto.

Dalotto explained that there are children fighting all severities of cancer in attendance each year.

"We've had kids with as little as three months to live, even some children in remission. We take them all," he said.

Families are encouraged to come out on Sunday to not only support this great cause, but to enjoy what should be an excellent ballgame, with perks! It is a rare chance to meet and greet participants from both teams.

Centrastate in Freehold and the Sunrise Optimist Club are partnering in Sunday's game. For more details visit WOBM.COM or CAMPQUALITYNJ.ORG.

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