(Photo by Stephen Goldsmith) caption: SUPPORT NETWORK: Princeton resident Derek DiGregorio, standing sixth from left, enjoys the moment with friends last Wednesday evening at the “Derek’s Dreams” fundraiser to help Derek and his parents, Steve and Nadia, in the boy’s battle against Ataxaia Telangiectasia (A-T). Pictured with Derek, standing from left, are Alex Deutsch, Robert Morelli, Mia Levy, Ben Sawchuk, Lior Levy, Derek DiGregorio, Ellis Bloom, Ben Smallzman, Asaf Davidov, Lindsey Sawchuk,and Ryan Sawchuk. On the floor, from left are Maddie Deutsch, Zack DiGregorio, Aaron DiGregorio, and Noa Levy. The fundraiser was held at Nanina’s in the Park at Belleville and raised more than $100,000.00.

DiGregorio Family Enjoys Dream Evening as Benefit Sparks Big Community Response

Bill Alden

Former Super Bowl hero and legendary New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms was in attendance last Wednesday evening at Nanina’s in the Park at Belleville.

Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano was there along with record-setting Princeton University and former Giants running back Keith Elias.

But the center of attention at the packed banquet hall was 12-year-old Princeton resident Derek DiGregorio.

A crowd of more than 500 was on hand at Nanina’s for the “Derek’s Dreams” fundraiser to help Derek and his parents, Steve and Nadia, in the boy’s battle against Ataxaia Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare genetic disease that affects muscle control and the immune system leaving its victims with a life expectancy unlikely to go much past 20.

For a night, Derek was able to forget about his ordeal. “Derek was flying high; he was thrilled,” said Princetonian Howard Levy, a former Princeton University basketball star and current head coach of the Mercer County Community College men’s hoops team, who was one of the organizers of the event.

“Everybody was so nice to him. Phil Simms gave him an autographed football, there was all kinds of of stuff like that.”

Everybody in the room was on a high as a result of the event that Levy said raised more than $100,000.00 for the DiGregorios, who have two other sons, Zack and Aaron.

“It was an outpouring of love,” said Levy, who was joined in his efforts by Ernie Barsamian, Michele DeMatteo, Jess Deutsch, and Princeton football assistant coach Steve Verbit. “It was a special night; it was unbelievable.”

Derek’s dad, Steve, currently a teacher and football coach at Nutley High, certainly felt special as he addressed the gathering.

“He thanked everybody,” recalled Levy. “His theme was gestures, all the gestures people had made, big and small.”

In a follow-up message on the group’s website, www,dereksdreams.com, DiGregorio reiterated his gratitude.

“We will never forget what all of you accomplished last night,” said DiGregorio. “I know that it took so much time from other things in your lives, and as I said last night, I don’t think that either Nadia or myself can really put our gratitude into the right words to let you know how much we think of all of you.”

In addition to the $100.00 admission fee, a major fundraising feature of the evening was an auction of several unique sports-related experiences.

Among the items up for bid were: tickets to Georgetown basketball games courtesy of John Thompson III; dinner at Conte’s with Pete Carril; tickets to a Giants at Cowboys game courtesy of Jason Garrett and his family; Phillies tickets, donated by former Princeton broadcaster and current Phillies’ TV voice Tom McCarthy; a tour of ESPN headquarters; a Rutgers football sideline pass; tickets to a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay; and tickets to a Yankees-Red Sox game in Fenway Park.

“The most incredible thing was the silent auction which raised over $40,000,” said Levy. “People were amazed that there wasn’t a sports memorabilia company involved.”

In Levy’s view, the most amazing aspect of the evening was how people from the Princeton and Nutley communities stepped up for the DiGregorios in their time of need.

“I have always felt that this community is unbelievable when people need something but this was over and above,” said Levy, noting that donations can still be made to DiGregorio/Derek’s Dreams, P.O. Box 245, Kingston, N.J. 08528-9442. “With Steve being from Nutley and teaching there, that community also came out in full force. Everyone pitched in.”

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