Posted: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 6:00 am | Updated: 4:10 pm, Wed Jul 17, 2013.
By Jeannie O’Sullivan Staff writer
Posted on July 17, 2013
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Families saddled with medical bills have a friend in Greg Reynolds and Richard Moore.
The duo behind the nonprofit Taylor Madison Reynolds Memorial Run have raised nearly $75,000 since the event’s inception, and this year they’re looking to surpass that milestone.
“We’re looking to break $100,000 this year,” Reynolds, of Burlington Township, said of the charity motorcycle ride, which is set for 9 a.m. Saturday.
In its sixth year, the event is named for Reynolds’ granddaughter, a Georgia toddler who died of a rare form of brain cancer in February 2008 before age 2. Reynolds and Moore, of Burlington City, started the fund to ease the financial burdens for Taylor’s parents. The charity helps out a different family each year.
This year’s beneficiary is Rebecca Budziszewski of Winslow, Camden County, a 10-year-old who is fond of riding horses. On Dec. 19, “she got a new heart for Christmas,” according to Moore.
The ride will begin at the Alstarz Bar & Grill on Route 130 in Bordentown Township and end at the English Setter Club of America on Route 541 in Medford. The festivities will include barbecue, kids’ attractions, and music by six acts: Filthy Micks, Full Circle, Jim Mannix, Little Red Wagon, Steve Constantino Band and Whiskey Grin. Registration is from 9 to 10 a.m. at Alstarz; the ride begins at 10:15 a.m.
Rebecca will arrive at the English Setter Club in style courtesy of the “Blue Goose” — the signature engine of the Independence Fire Company in Burlington Township. Her parents, Cassandra and Rob, are still getting back on their feet after Rob Budziszewski was out of work with medical issues, Reynolds said. Rebecca also dealt with some added complications.
“There were some difficulties. The heart was enlarged and blocked off the air passages. But I talked to her mom (recently) and she was playing in the pool with a friend,” Moore said. “She’s getting better, but there are a lot of bills they have to pay.”
Last year’s benefit helped out Nicholas Santonastasso, 16, of Berkeley, Ocean County, who was born with no legs and only one arm with a single finger due to oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome.
Previous beneficiaries were Peyton Green, a Florence girl with a rare blood disorder; Matthew Raymond Smagacz, a Delanco boy battling leukemia; and Jacob Schroeder of Pemberton Township, a 4-year-old who has severe anemia, cerebral palsy and encephalopathy, a disease of the brain.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance by calling 609-560-3021 or 609-387-9162; they will also be sold at registration. Donations may be sent to 1403 Wall Ave., Burlington Township, N.J. 08016. Checks should be made payable to TMR.
Jeannie O’Sullivan: 609-871-8068; email: josullivan@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @jeannieosulliva
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