About Us

The Salt Shaker Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area that conducts a series of events to raise awareness and funding for the LIVESTRONG, the Cooper Cancer Institute of the Cooper University Hospital, and other local prominent cancer organizations. Since its inception in 2006, the Salt Shaker Foundation has raised over $250,000 for cancer charities.

Our Story

In 2005, then 37-year old long-time Cherry Hill resident and father of three young children Bart Saidel was diagnosed with testicular cancer. His wife Lisa and his family and friends rallied around him for support as he began extensive chemotherapy treatment and surgery, including a dozen close friends shaving their heads in solidarity. What began as participating in a challenging local bike race for LIVESTRONG, Bart and his group of friends decided to throw a party to celebrate their accomplishment. This quickly turned into a fundraiser and the group incorporated and achieved 501(c)3 non-profit charity status in 2006. The first “Party with a Purpose” fundraising event at PJ Whelihan’s in Cherry Hill was highly successful with over 200 people attending and raised a significant amount of money and awareness.

The foundation and their bike team “Team Margaritaville or Bust” went on to receive considerable press and became well known nationally within the LIVESTRONG circles. In 2008, the foundation was honored with a proclamation from Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt for their commitment to helping others survive cancer, recognizing their successful ongoing efforts to raise money in support of cancer awareness, research, and survivorship programs. Also in 2008, realizing the need to keep a portion of the money here in South Jersey where it was raised, the foundation decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to a second major beneficiary, the Cooper Cancer Institute and continues to do so. In 2009, the group was rocked again with Bart being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. This validated the foundations mission and solidified their efforts to help everyone affected by cancer. Still going through treatment, Bart is expected a full healthy return during 2011.

Each year the party gets bigger and better, now with an annual attendance of over 500 people. The foundation has created partnerships with the New Jersey Independent Baseball League and Tri County Swimming Championships, directly reaching an additional 6,000 members of the community through these two organizations. Additionally, a partnership began this year with the Love, Hope, Strength Foundation (Rock-n-Roll's cancer charity), with Salt Shaker holding their first LHS Bone Marrow Drive at the PJ's fundraiser. Now in its’ sixth year, the foundation has become a well known charity in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area having raised over $275,000. The organization continues in its’ grassroots style and finds more and more people volunteering and participating in its’ mission.

 

To conduct local events that raise public awareness, funds, and support for

LIVESTRONG, the Cooper Cancer Institute, and other local cancer organizations.

Cancer

12 million cancer survivors in the United States, 28 million world wide. 1.4 million Americans expected to be diagnosed this year. 560,000 Americans expected to die this year, or more than 1500 per day. Nearly 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop cancer in their lifetime. Cancer has replaced heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States.*

Cancer effects all of us. Help us raise awareness and fund support programs from prominent cancer charities locally, nationally and globally.

*Source: American Cancer Society and Livestrong

Event History

Since 2006, the Salt Shaker Foundation has held numerous events including the annual fundraiser at PJ Whelihan's in Cherry Hill, NJ:

SaltShaker fundraiser at PJ's Whelihan's - 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
LiveStrong Challenge Ride/Run/Walk - 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Tri-County Swimming Championships Partnership - 2010
New Jersey Independent Baseball League Partnership -2010
SaltShaker/Livestrong Day at the Philadelphia Soul - 2008
SaltShaker/LiveStrong Day at the Camden Riversharks - 2008

This will be our 6th consecutive year participating in the Livestrong Challenge with our "Team Margaritaville or Bust". We have had over 150 team members in this physically demanding event, consisting of cycling up to 100 miles, 5K run or 5K walk.

 

Accomplishments:

 

Raised over $250,000 raised for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Cooper Cancer Institute.
Over 1500 guests at our annual fundraising parties combined.
Over 35 corporate sponsors including CDW, Stantec, Anheuser-Busch, and Drinker Biddle.
Local media coverage of our charitable efforts.
Substantial contribution to Cooper Cancer Institute helping local cancer patients in need.

 

Why LIVESTRONG?

LIVESTRONG is unique in that it is their mission to empower and inspire people affected by cancer. They take a holistic approach, regardless of the type of cancer or the individuals background or situation. LIVESTRONG serves its' mission through education, advocacy, public health and research programs and they strive to make cancer a national priority.

Bart Saidel - Founding Member and President

Bart is a Senior Account Executive with CDW Corporation in Voorhees, NJ, working with mid-market and enterprise corporations in the technology space. He is also active on the CDW Charitable Contributions Committee; working with and supporting other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, Lungevity, NJ Division of Youth and Family Services and Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Residing in Cherry Hill, NJ with his wife, Lisa, and their three children, Bart also devotes time to coaching youth soccer and baseball. Bart holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Richard Stockton College. Bart has completed multiple Livestrong Challenges in both Philadelphia, PA and Austin, Texas; where he has been a guest of the Lance Armstrong Foundation annually for their Ride for the Roses. Bart is a founding member of the Salt Shaker Foundation. He is a five year survivor of testicular cancer and currently undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Scott Peters - Founding Member and Vice President

Scott is the President and co-owner of HassPeters Construction Group, Inc., a successful mid-size (8-10 million dollar) union construction company operating primarily in the Philadelphia, and southern New Jersey markets. Scott has worked in the Philadelphia construction industry for over 25 years and started his career while attending the evening construction management program at Drexel University. Scott also owns several rental properties and has participated in several residential development projects. A resident of Cherry Hill, NJ with his wife, Shelagh, and their three children, Scott also serves as the President of the Kingston Estates Swim Club, a neighborhood swim club that includes membership of over 350 families. Scott also takes a very active role in coaching his children's sports teams. He has participated in the Broad Street Run (10 mile) and the Livestrong Challenge where he has completed the 100 mile course multiple times and has competed in several triathlons. Scott is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

Carrie E. Haney - Founding Member and Secretary

Carrie is a Mortgage Consultant at Lincoln Mortgage Company in Marlton, NJ. She has worked in the mortgage lending industry for over 17 years. Previously Carrie worked as a corporate/real estate paralegal for Flaster Greenberg Mann & Wallenstein, P.C. Carrie graduated from the Institute for Paralegal Training. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English from Rutgers University Camden College of Arts and Sciences. Carrie resides in Cherry Hill, NJ with her husband, Rick. She also is a Notary Public and a member of NAMB and NJAMB. Carrie is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

Lisa (Chuppe) Saidel - Founding Member and Treasurer/Marketing

Lisa is a Director of Client Services with NCO Customer Management, Inc. in Horsham, Pa. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Rutgers University. Residing in Cherry Hill, NJ with her husband, Bart and their three children, Lisa also actively participates in her children’s PTA Executive Board, currently serving as President. She also sits on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Teleservices Association, a trade association. Lisa is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

Patrice McConnell Curley - Founding Member

Patrice is a Paralegal for the Professional Liability Department of the Post & Schell law firm in Philadelphia, PA. She has worked as a litigation paralegal for over 19 years and is the paralegal assisting the Chairman of the Professional Liability Department at Post & Schell. Patrice holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Patrice resides in South Jersey with her husband, Patrick, and their two children and lab they rescued. She is an active member and participant in the PTA at her children’s school and is also a member of HT Bookers, a neighborhood book club. Patrice also is AED/CPR certified and is a Camden County Election Official. Patrice has completed each Livestrong Challenge and is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

Michael J. Goida - Founding Member, Emcee and Cheerleader

Mike is a Cardiovascular Specialty District Manager for Abbott Laboratories. Mike has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over six years specializing in the cardiovascular market. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Communications from Kean University and resides in Marlton, NJ with his wife, Melissa, and their three children. Michael also serves on the Executive Committee for the American Heart Association’s South Jersey Heart Walk. Mike takes an active role in his community as a coach for youth sports. Mike is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

Nan (Suntharalingam) St. Amour - Founding Member

Nan is currently a Sales Representative for Lia Sophia, a home jewelry demonstration business. Nan previously worked for PNC Bank in their Risk Management Group, overseeing the day to day risk and operations issues for over 100 branches. Nan graduated from Rutgers University with her BA in Economics. She resides in West Windsor, New Jersey with her husband, Paul and their two children. Nan is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

James McFarland - Founding Member

Jim is a Project Manager for Sovereign Consulting, Inc. in Cherry Hill, NJ. Jim has worked in the environmental consulting business for over seventeen years and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Rutgers New Brunswick. Jim resides in Collingswood, NJ with his wife Kelly and their child. Jim and Kelly are the proud owners of three rental properties in Collingswood. Jim is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

Dorothy "Dottie" Bolinsky - Founding Member

Dorothy is a Partner with Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP, Princeton, NJ. Dottie has practiced real estate law for over eleven years. Before becoming an attorney, Dottie worked as a manager for national restaurant companies. Dottie holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Restaurant Institutional Management from Penn State University and a Juris Doctorate from Rutgers the State University, School of Law, Camden. Dottie also serves as a trustee on the Mercer County Bar Association and the Mercer County Bar Foundation. In March 2009, Dottie was named by NJBIZ as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business. Dottie resides in Mt. Laurel, NJ and is a founding member of The Salt Shaker Foundation.

Leslie Hendricks - New Board Member, 2008

Leslie is currently a National Account Executive for Interstate Outdoor Advertising, and has been in the sales and marketing field for over 15 years. Leslie graduated from Richard Stockton College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. She resides in Lumberton, NJ with her 2 children.

Art Schneider - New Board Member, 2008

Joel Schwartz - New Board Member, 2008

Jim Malanos - New Board Member, 2008

Jim is an Environmental Project Manager for Stantec in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Jim has 19 years of experience in the processes and technical requirements of environmental remediation. Jim has assisted companies throughout the State of New Jersey , Pennsylvania, and New York in handling their hazardous and non-hazardous waste issues. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monmouth University. Jim is a resident of Marlton, New Jersey with his wife Joanna and they have one child. He is active in Burlington Chamber of Commerce and other networking associations in South Jersey. Jim and his company, Stantec, have been avid supporters of The Salt Shaker Foundation and Jim was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2008.

Committee Members

Joseph Mahoney - Committee Member

Joe Mahoney is currently the Director of New England & Canadian Operations for Management Decision Systems, Inc. (MDSI), an executive search firm based in Oradell, New Jersey. Joe resides in the town of Park Ridge, NJ where he sits on the board for PEAK (Parents, Educators, Administrators for special needs Kids), PREF (Park Ridge Education Foundation), and the PRRC (Park Ridge Recreation Council).  As a member of LiveSTRONG’s “Team Livestrong Army Runners”, Joe ran the ING New York City Marathon in 2007and 2008 and the Boston Marathon in 2009. An avid runner, Joe frequently competes in local charity races and events.  Joe and his wife Kathy have two children, Melissa age 9, and Joseph age 6.  His son Joseph was diagnosed with childhood autism at age 2, but has made tremendous progress over the past four years and will be “mainstreamed” into his local grammar school in September.  Joe has a BA degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey. An avid supporter for many causes, he is a 13 year cancer survivor.

Paul St. Amour - Committee Member

Richard Haney - Committee Member

There are numerous other committee members and volunteers that donate their time and efforts in our mission.

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