‘Cones for Cancer’ in Morristown: Only the ice cream is cold

Lori Ann Giardina gets a donation and a hug from Barbara MacHale. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Lori Ann Giardina gets a donation and a hug from Barbara MacHale. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Lunchtime crowd queues up for 'Cones for Cancer,' at the South Street Creamery. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Lunchtime crowd queues up for ‘Cones for Cancer,’ at the South Street Creamery. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

On Friday a whole lot of melting was going on inside the South Street Creamery— and we’re not talking about the ice cream.

People crowded the shop on a frosty December day to buy Cones for Cancer.  All proceeds from the day’s ice cream sales are being donated to research into a rare form of cancer afflicting Jeff Giardina, the husband of Creamery owner Lori Ann Giardina.

“I can make great ice cream, and can decorate it pretty. But I don’t think I can ever find words to say thank you to this entire community. I feel because of this… we will see a cure,” said Lori Ann, whose day was a frenzy of hugs, checks and ice cream.

Jeff, 45, was diagnosed around Thanksgiving 2013 with ocular melanoma, a disease with no cure. He has lost vision in one eye and the cancer has spread to his liver, spine and chest.

Cones for Cancer supports research by Dr. Takami Sato of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. All donations made through Dec. 31, 2014, are being matched, up to $200,000, by an anonymous donor, Lori Ann said.

Donations to Uveal Melanoma Research in honor of Jeffrey Giardina can be made online,  or by mail, to: The Jefferson Office of Institutional Advancement, Attn: Dr. Sato Challenge, 125 S. 9th St., Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Over the last two weeks, Creamery patrons have contributed $4,000, Lori Ann said.

Sign up for the noon class at South Street Yoga and Nutrition on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, and your fee also will be donated to this research. The studio is at 58 South St.

WHAT GOES AROUND…

Lori Ann has been serving ice cream with a smile since opening the Creamery in 1999. She picked the right profession; customers confirmed that she is as sweet as her product.

Lori Ann Giardina gets a donation and a hug from Barbara MacHale. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Lori Ann Giardina gets a donation and a hug from Barbara MacHale. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“Everyone knows that Lori Ann is one of the nicest people in town,” said Katherine Henckler, who saw the Giardinas’ two boys, now 8 and 6, graduate from the Presbyterian Church Nursery School, where she is director.

On top of that, she said, Lori Ann has given Morristown an invaluable gift: “She employs our local youth, and trains them to be fabulous workers.”

Alexandra Meade, who oversees children’s education programs at the church, praised the family’s strong faith.

“Jeff is hanging in there, and Lori Ann is so upbeat. Even this [fundraiser] is not for themselves, but for others. They are helping others,” Alexandra said, while waiting in line for some coffee ice cream.

A large contingent came on Friday from Morristown’s Temple B’Nai Or.  Four of Jeff’s colleagues from Actavis, a pharmaceutical company, trekked from Elizabeth on their lunch break to deliver a donation from co-workers, and to buy ice cream for the cause.

“He’s a good guy. Hard-working. Focused,” said Dhavel Patel.

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Many of Friday’s visitors have celebrated birthdays, Little League victories and other milestones at the Creamery.

“We’re all very saddened by what’s happened, and we want to prevent others from going through that,” said Jennifer Santori, who brought her son Christian, 4, for his favorite, a chocolate scoop topped with M&Ms.

HELPING THE CAUSE: Jennifer Santori and son Christian, 4, support 'Cones for Cancer.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
HELPING THE CAUSE: Jennifer Santori and son Christian, 4, support ‘Cones for Cancer.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Randi Silverstein, who came with her son, Max, 3, and her mom, Poppy Segal, said the Creamery always has treated her like family — when she got married, when she was pregnant, when a relative developed food allergies. Now it was her turn.

“Lori is always happy, she always has a smile. She always wants to make you feel good, no matter what kind of day she’s having. You would never know what she’s going through,” Randi said.

Others came despite health issues of their own. Barbara MacHale brought a check and a hug. So did Barbara Hill, a Morristown woman who lost her husband to ocular melanoma two years ago. The couple had been regulars at the Creamery.

“The advice I have is everybody should get their eyes checked regularly–whether or not you need glasses. Dilated eye exams,” Barbara Hill said.

LENDING SUPPORT: Barbara Hill, left, lost her husband to ocular melanoma. She gave a donation to Lori Ann Giardina for 'Cones for Cancer.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
LENDING SUPPORT: Barbara Hill, left, lost her husband to ocular melanoma. She gave a donation to Lori Ann Giardina for ‘Cones for Cancer.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Behind the counter, it was all hands on deck. Lori Ann’s parents and in-laws were pressed into service.

“The long-term is unknown. But the outpouring from the community has been great for Lori,” said her brother-in-law and longtime Creamery partner, Peter Williams.

“We’ve been here 15 years and given a lot to the community. It’s nice to see the community giving back to Lori and her family. They’re going through a lot. It helps.”

Vicky Grella, Lori Ann’s mother-in-law, took a crash course in cone-scooping to deal with the lunchtime crush.

“It’s a real testimony to my daughter-in-law. She’s such a beautiful person, so well loved. This is a tribute to her.”

Cones for Cancer continues until 8:30 tonight, Dec. 5, 2014, at the Creamery in Morristown on 146 South St.

MORE ABOUT ‘CONES FOR CANCER’

MORE ABOUT OCULAR MELANOMA

 

ICE CREAM FOR A FRIEND: Colleagues of Jeff Giardina, who is battling cancer, support 'Cones for Cancer' drive. From left: Brian Nizio, Raj Patel, Neil Saniel and Dhavel Patel. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
ICE CREAM FOR A FRIEND: Colleagues of Jeff Giardina, who is battling cancer, support ‘Cones for Cancer’ drive. From left: Brian Nizio, Raj Patel, Neil Saniel and Dhavel Patel. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

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