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The Bordentown Township Police Department in New Jersey is leading community efforts to raise funds in support of 9-year-old Ayden Ugo-Alum Manning, who was diagnosed with a rare brain disease last year.
In 2023, Ayden was diagnosed with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, an incurable brain condition.
Facing a prognosis of only a few years, Ayden’s community, led by the Bordentown Township Police Department, rallied to support him on his medical journey.
Upon learning of Ayden’s diagnosis, school resource officer Adam Edwards and his fellow officers at the Bordentown Township Police Department initiated a unique fundraising effort, combining charity with camaraderie through a No Shave November campaign.
The officers grew their beards, creatively tying Ayden’s love for Pokémon to their cause, and raised over $800.
“Through November and December, we donate money to a cause and are able to grow our facial hair out within reason,” Edwards told ABC 7.
“Ayden loves Pokémon, and we said Ayden was fueling his Pokémon journey with beard power, so he had to collect all of our beards,” the officer added.
The fundraising efforts extended beyond November, with a kick-off event in December at Jimmy’s American Grill in collaboration with the Bordentown City Police Department.
The event, featuring a beard judging contest judged by Ayden himself, raised additional funds and brought the community together over the holidays.
“We’re just living our best lives now, the best we can,” Ayden’s mom said. “And I’m extremely grateful for the community support because, without the community support, it would be 10 times harder.”
Nicole Bencivengo, the department’s administrative assistant, spoke on the importance of school resource officers in selecting beneficiaries for their campaigns.
The department has collaborated with local businesses such as Under the Moon, Old Town Pub, Empire Pizza and others for the charity events.
The highlight of the campaign, officers say, was a heartwarming video skit featuring Ayden, police officers in costume and an abundance of beards, produced by local company Riverview Studios.
The video aimed to bring attention to their cause and display the department’s dedication to helping Ayden.
Ayden’s medical journey involves regular flights to Paris for a compassionate care clinical trial.
The community’s generosity, combined with the online GoFundMe campaign, has raised over $50,000, with an additional $10,000 raised offline.
These funds will assist Ayden in his battle against the progressive disease and support his life experiences.
Despite the challenges ahead, Shawntell Manning remains determined to let Ayden live his best life now.
The community’s prayers have seemingly had a positive impact, with recent scans showing a decrease in the brain lesion, providing a glimmer of hope for Ayden’s future.
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