Cape Kids of the Month – February 2018

February 27, 2018February 28, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

Brothers who Love Sports, Family and Wearing The Cape

Shane and Dylan Kelly are our Cape Kids for the month of February and, boy oh boy, do these boys deserve it! These brothers are two exceptional young men, who wear the cape daily. They volunteer on many levels, often marrying their love of sports with their passion for doing good. It is a privilege to recognize them this month!

Shane, a freshman at Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren, New Jersey is a talented, hard-working football player. Shane’s football coach calls him a “leader who will do anything he puts his mind to.” Dylan, a 7th grader at Warren Middle School in Warren, New Jersey, is a superstar on and off the field, too. His basketball coach says he has “a big heart and truly cares.”

Shane played football for Watchung Hills Pop Warner for seven years and was often found helping his teammates and coaches, and assisting younger players. He is now giving back to the Pop Warner Program in a new role, as junior coach for the Pee Wee Team. Dylan volunteers for the Warren Youth Basketball Program, helping the 3rd and 4th grade girls team, where his sister Ainsley plays.

Shane is also a timekeeper for the Warren Youth Basketball Association, where he can be found helping younger children practice their shooting skills between quarters. His brother Dylan devotedly supports the Baskets for Bama fundraiser that was created by his basketball coach and family to raise money to help find a cure for brain cancer at Duke University.

What’s more, both young men have taught Vacation Bible School at Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge, New Jersey for the past four years. They also help with the church’s Halloween Costume Drive, Coat Drive, and Ziti for the Needy initiative. Close to home for us, the Kelly brothers volunteer their time as helpers at kidkind foundation’s annual holiday party, where they greet guests with their warm smiles and kind hearts.

At home, both Shane and Dylan pitch in by preparing meals, creating recipes for all to enjoy. They are exceptional role models to their younger siblings Brayden, 10, and Ainsley, 8, as well as their friends. Their mom Rebecca Kelly shared, “They are kind, loving boys, who enjoy spending time with their family and friends.” Shane and Dylan, we thank you for being such tremendous examples of everyday heroes. We are so proud of you for being BETTER THAN THAT™ and for remembering to always WEAR THE CAPE. Keep up the good work!

Cape Kid of the Month: Valentina Clemente

January 30, 2018January 29, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

The girl who found the courage to do what was right; the girl who found the courage to be BETTER THAN THAT™

On New Year’s Eve, 11-year-old Valentina Clemente made a special resolution. She decided that she was going to spend this year spreading kindness and helping others by showing her peers that it’s cool to be kind. Valentina reached out to Wear the Cape with a creative idea to help spread kindness in her school. We can’t wait to share it with you, along with a few fun facts about her; we’re sure you’ll understand why Valentina is our Cape Kid of the Month for January 2018! So here goes:

As an avid soccer fan, Valentina plays on two travel soccer teams. She has helped win two championships with her quick feet and constant encouragement. What’s more, she is a member of her school’s student council, is active in her school chorus, and participates in her school plays, in various roles.

Baking is one of Valentina’s passions. She loves to bake for her family and hopes to one day be on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. “Whenever there is a family birthday, we can count on Valentina to make a delicious cake,” shared her grandmother.

Valentina has an incredibly kind heart, and often helps others – whether at home with her younger siblings Lily and Antonio, or at school, where she is known to be one of the first to offer assistance to her teachers and friends.

Michelle, Valentina’s mom, noted: “Valentina is a great friend. She makes it a point to include those who are being left out. She is always kind and compassionate to others, especially when they need it the most.” In fact, one of her newest friendships formed from helping a classmate who was cyber-bullied. Without hesitation, and with loving support from her parents, Valentina immediately came to her aide. She befriended the girl who was being teased, found the courage to ask those being unkind to stop and challenged them to change their actions.

When asked if it was difficult for her to stand up to those being mean and politely remind them to be BETTER THAN THAT™, she replied, “It’s never easy to stand up and correct a friend’s behavior, but I believe that it’s more important to do the right and kind thing, rather than hurt someone, or join in when someone is being teased.” She said she lives by the mantra: Strong people stand up for themselves, the strongest stand up for others.”(Source unknown)

We were completely honored when Valentina reached out to us asking us to help her write a proposal to create a Kindness Club at her school. Her goal: get kids together and teach them that it’s cool to be kind and encourage them to BE BETTER THAN THAT™ by being good friends to others and standing up for what is right. We are delighted to help!

Valentina has some words of wisdom for being a good friend:

Be Yourself:If you act like yourself, people will accept you for who you are. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not in order to “fit in” or ”be cool.” Being in middle school, I find people often comment on the way others look. Many times these comments are negative. Please remember that everyone is different and special in his/her own unique way. Rather than comment negatively on how someone looks, try finding a way to compliment that person. Hint: you can always start with, “I like your smile!”
Stand up for the person being mistreated, don’t just watch it happen: My mother always tells me that watching someone being bullied and not saying anything is almost as bad as being the bully. Always stand up for what is right! It may not be easy. It takes a lot of courage, but it’s the right thing to do!

We are so impressed with your kindness and courage, Valentina. You are an excellent example of being BETTER THAN THAT™ and a true role model for others. Thank you for encouraging others to WEAR THE CAPE at home and in school! Keep up the great work.

Johnny Veglia: Looking Inside His Heart & Thinking Outside the Box

December 27, 2017December 23, 2017 twhimsLeave a comment

Amidst the holiday season, and in the spirit of giving, we find it most fitting to name Johnny Veglia our Cape Kid of the Month for December. We’re confident you will agree after reading about Johnny below.

As a 15-year-old sophomore and a theatre major at The UCTVS Academy of Performing Arts High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Johnny keeps busy with practices and rehearsals. These time-consuming commitments, however, do not stop him from giving back in a way that is near and dear to his heart.

“Johnny has always loved Halloween and Disney,” explained his mother Cheryl Veglia. When he was in fifth grade, Johnny asked

her if he could turn his Scotch Plains home into a Haunted House for the Halloween season.

Sadly, a beloved family friend, whom he called Aunt Cathy, passed away from breast cancer during the planning of his big debut. It was then that Johnny decided to ask for a suggested donation of $1.00 as admission to the Haunted House, which he chose to donate to a charity in memory of his Aunt Cathy.

Over the past five years, Johnny has raised over $5,500 for the Rutgers Cancer Society by enlisting the help of over 45 family

members, who range in age from 2-years-old to 70, and friends, who gladly dress up and play assigned roles.

All are amazed at the detailed preparations for the big event. Each year, Johnny creates a theme, which is carried throughout the main level and basement of his home, as well as around the entire property. Friends, neighbors, and classmates come out to walk through the heart-warming haunted house. “It is a fabulous night enjoyed by many – and all for a great cause!” shared Johnny’s aunt Michelle Blum.

Well-deserved, Johnny was one of only four people to receive the distinguished Certificate of Congressional Recognition for “…outstanding and invaluable service to the community” for his work on the haunted house. “It’s come full circle,” his mom stated. “Aunt Cathy introduced me to John (Cheryl’s husband), and now Johnny does the haunted house in her memory.”

In addition to the haunted house, which takes Johnny a full year to plan, he is an Alter Server at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scotch Plains. He is also active in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Men’s Choir, where his Tenor voice melts hearts. What’s more, he is an event coordinator for Student Government, a Leadership Convention Representative, Relay for Life team captain, and serves as his school’s Student Government Event Coordinator. Despite all of his extracurricular activities, Johnny has remained on the high honor roll list since 6^th grade! His dream is to one day work for Disney as an Imagineer.

Truly Wearing the Cape, Johnny is known as a friend who always includes others. In fact, he goes out of his way to make sure everyone is invited and welcomed to all activities, so that no one ever feels left out.

What an incredible honor it is to showcase Johnny Veglia this December! We thank you, Johnny, for your exemplary kindness and for being a role model to others (in such a creative way, we might add!).