When Maddie Troeller, age 4, learned she’d be participating in a fundraising “Hop-A-Thon” at her pre-kindergarten, Home Away from Home Academy in Aberdeen Township, New Jersey, she was all in. She learned that proceeds would benefit the ALS Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

On May 19, 2023, her mom, Lindsay Rubin-Troeller, dressed her in her favorite sports jersey, since the theme was “Strike Out ALS” in honor of late baseball superstar Lou Gehrig. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare and progressive neurological condition affecting nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, causing muscle weakness.

“The students hop and dance for a half-hour to music, and every hop earns a dollar for the cause,” says Carmine Visone, founder and owner of the academy for 30 years. “We do lots of charity work, and our curriculum teaches children that giving is better than receiving.”

This most recent Hop-A Thon raised $2,000 to support ALS patient care, but someone wanted to increase that number.

Maddie knew her mother had already donated to the event, but before the child left for school, she took $2 from her piggy bank, then went back to retrieve another dollar to make sure she was personally giving enough.

“She’s really an old soul, who’s so sweet and compassionate, and very good to her little sister,” Lindsay says. “She told me she needed money to help people who can’t move well.”

Adds Carmine: “Maddie has a heart of gold, and is very motivated and caring. To see a child who understands what she was doing with her donation, that’s pretty incredible.”

Paul Huegel, vice president of development, Southern Region, for Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, believes that no gift is too small—and no donor either.

“Even at her young age, Maddie’s support of our ALS Center exemplifies the spirit of selflessly helping other people,” he says. “We’re also grateful for the support of her classmates and families, and we’re proud that ours is one of only two Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence in New Jersey. It’s designated by the ALS Association’s National Office and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Every gift helps. To learn more, contact Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation at giving@hmhn.org or 848-308-5000.