Mon. U fashion show benefits Alyssa's Angels Nonprofit plans to build $300,000 playground in the borough BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer A rendering of Alyssa's Angels Playground at Conway Park on Parker Road in West Long Branch. WEST LONG BRANCH - Funds raised at a fashion-show benefit held by Monmouth University students this month will support the construction of a handicapped-accessible playground in West Long Branch. The university's fourth annual Creative Couture fashion-show raised $2,786 for Alyssa's Angels, a nonprofit group based in West Long Branch that is dedicated to helping children and families of children dealing with mental and physical handicaps. Alyssa's Angels plans to use the funds to construct an estimated $300,000 playground at the borough's Conway Park on Parker Road. "For the past three years, we have liked to keep the charities that we donate to local," said Robin Carlin, Monmouth University student and coordinator of the fashion show. "This enables more local people to be able to attend the show," she said. The fashion show has been held for the past four years, according to Carlin, who said that each year the event gets "bigger and better." Alyssa Cantaffa Alyssa's Angles was selected this year after Monmouth University students learned that the group was trying to raise enough funds to construct a handicappedaccessible park in West Long Branch. The office coordinator for Monmouth University's radio station, Donna Mancini, lives near Casey Cantaffa, who is the cofounder of Alyssa's Angels, according to Carlin. "Donna put me in contact with Casey and I read up on the organization and knew they were the perfect charity for this year's show," Carlin said. "They are wonderful people to work with and their charity is amazing." The proceeds of the fashion-show benefit a different organization each year, according to Carlin. "The first year, all proceeds went to Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that dresses low-income women who are trying to get back into the professional world," Carlin said. "The second year, all proceeds went to Erika Recanzone, a 6- year-old girl from Toms River who had cancer. "Last year, all proceeds went to The School for Children in Eatontown, and this year was Alyssa's Angels," Carlin said. Cantaffa said she was excited to learn that the fashion show was going to sponsor Alyssa's Angels. "The students just contacted us and told us that there were a couple of nonprofits they were looking to support and they chose our organization as the final one for the fundraiser," Cantaffa said. Cantaffa and her husband, Tony, founded Alyssa's Angels in 2004 in honor of their daughter, Alyssa Cantaffa. At 3 weeks old, Alyssa suffered from a debilitating case of whooping cough, which is an upper respiratory infection that causes bouts of severe coughing. Alyssa survived the illness, but the effects left her mentally and physically challenged. The Cantaffas founded Alyssa's Angels to help lessen the financial burden for families of developmentally handicapped children by providing funding for therapeutic recreation and medical equipment, Cantaffa said. In keepingwith itsmission, the next step for Alyssa's Angels is to see the playground constructed in the borough, according to Cantaffa,who said the profits fromthe fashion show will help make it a reality. "The girls were so unbelievable," Cantaffa said. "They did an amazing job fundraising. "They found out that our colors were purple and had purple balloons and rose petals on the runway. "They went above and beyond," she said, adding, "Everything was absolutely perfect. It was beautiful." Over 200 people attended the Feb. 9 fashion show at Monmouth University's Wilson Hall. "Every single penny we made selling tickets for admission, raffle tickets and donations go directly to the charity," Carlin said. According to Cantaffa, the Conway Park playground project is expected to cost between $275,000 and $300,000, and Alyssa's Angels has raised $225,000 for the playground to date. "The community has been outstanding, and even schools have donated to Alyssa's Angels," Cantaffa said. "We have received donations from Shore Regional High School, from Long Branch [Public] Schools' Wave of Hope Foundation and Monmouth University [sponsored us during] Greek Week last year." "We just received a $10,000 grant from Investors Savings Bank," Cantaffa added. The playground will feature all of the amenities of a standard playground, including slides, swings and a rubberized surface, according to Cantaffa. "We are shooting to open in 2008," Cantaffa said. "Right now we are in the process of going through the council meetings and getting permits. "When people want to help [Alyssa's Angels], I can't even tell you the happiness it brings us," Cantaffa added. For more information on Alyssa's Angels, or to make a donation, contact Casey Cantaffa at (732) 229-9393 or visit www.AlyssasAngels.com.