Matthew is a highly motivated young gentleman from East Northpart, New York who is determined to help raise money and awareness for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk. For the past three years, this senior from John H. Glenn High School has brought his neighborhood community together for an annual Christmas Show.

How and why have you become involved with raising funds for Parkinson’s research?

My grandmother passed away from Lymphoma Cancer and I wanted to do something to raise money for research but I could not find a foundation that ensured 100% of all donations went toward research. So, I hit a brick wall. Paul Silverman a good friend of the family for many years was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1999. I spoke to Paul and he suggested that I help the Parkinson’s Unity Walk. He told me that 100% of all donations sent to the Unity Walk goes toward research. I made up my mind that this is where I wanted to help.

When Paul first mentioned the words Parkinson’s disease, I asked, what is that? To learn more I began to volunteer with the Unity Walk. I remember on one occasion I went to New York City to meet Margot Zobel the Founder of the Walk and to work with other volunteers. I learned a lot about Parkinson’s that day. I remember walking out from her apartment and realizing that Parkinson’s disease can significantly affect quality of life. That was a turning point for me. I wanted to do more.

At that point, in 2001, I decided to do the first Christmas Show. The First year we raised $1710 for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk. I then called Carol Walton, Executive Director of The Parkinson Alliance, and asked her a few things about the Walk and she gave me important advice about raising funds and having events. I decided then to start my own non-profit foundation. People did not take me seriously at first. In the summer of 2001 “Hope for a Cure Foundation for Parkinson Research” was born. We went through all the steps, launched our website and designed our logo.

Can you tell me about what happens at your Christmas Show?

The Christmas Show is held on our Street. It’s a community event. We have a living nativity with live animals. A big stage is set-up for the choir. A jazz band plays and a professional singer Deborah Holly sings Christmas carols. The event starts at 4:30pm and the neighbors come over. We ask that all the surrounding houses turn off their lights. We light twelve Christmas Trees donated by Home Depot, Santa comes on a fire truck and we even have snow machines.

It is magical!


How do you raise donations?

There are a number of ways we raise donations. When we send the invitations we include donation envelopes. Also to keep a count of who attends we have a registration tent, where people have the opportunity to give and buy raffle tickets.

My high school raises money. In April of 2003 they put on a volley ball-a-thon and raised $2000.00. We also sell Hope for Cure Apparel. My friends and supporters can buy t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts. Usually a day doesn’t go by that I don’t see someone in my high school wearing one of the foundation’s sweatshirts. Everyone really cares.

Who helps you with all this?

I’m a pretty organized guy but this would not happen without the help of all our volunteers. My parents Debbie and Albert DePace are a tremendous influence and offer lots of support. My Aunts, Uncles, two brothers Thomas and younger brother James in 5th grade, also help with the event to make it a success.

Paul Silverman is my inspiration and through this we have become very close. He and his family are always there if we need anything.

The Christmas show takes a year to plan. Everyday, I do my homework then I send out letters and start making phone calls. I receive a lot of no’s but you always get the yes’s too. I work about 1 _ hours each day. After the first Christmas Show in 2001, we made a list of all the things that went right and what could be improved. It was three pages long. You have to start somewhere and this was a stepping-stone. Then we launched our second show. Between 2001 and 2002 we grew 5 times as large. We raised $5000.00 under our own foundation name. We were gaining the support and sponsor that we needed.

Is there any bit of advice you would like to share?

Anybody can do it. You really got to love what you do and I do.

What are you doing to do after Highschool?

I will be studying business. I would like to continue the show and I keep fighting for PD until we find a cure.

"We work with a lot of people across the country, but the commitment that Matthew puts toward coordinating an event such as this for over three years is special. We are enjoy working with Matthew and are highly impressed with his enthusiasm and dedication to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease.” —
Trina Stokes, Event Manager

Special Note: Hope for a Cure Foundation for Parkinson’s Research raised $15,500 during their 2003 Christmas Show on Saturday, December 13. Their goal was $12,000. Matthew realizes that there are many other Parkinson’s foundations that raise money for research and half of the $15,500 will be donated to the American Parkinson Disease Association.

For more information visit: Hope For a Cure Foundation http://www.hopeforacure.org.