Sickel Becomes the Sponsor of an iPad Initiative for the Fighting H.A.R.D. Foundation
When he was about 10 years old, Rob Sickel suffered from severe chest pain. No one could figure out the reason for his pain until his family took him to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) where they discovered a tumor. After surgery, Sickel was diagnosed with histiocytosis, a rare benign tumor usually found among children ages 5 to 10.
During his stay in the hospital, Sickel was on a floor with many children who had cancer and he never forgot it. Because the hospital stay for children is often long and boring, Rob Sickel has become a sponsor of an iPad initiative through the Fighting H.A.R.D. Foundation, Howell, N.J., a 501(C)(3) organization that donates iPads to children in hospitals with chronic illnesses or who have rare diseases.
Last year, Rob Sickel, owner of Pine Belt Cars, 1088 Route 88, Lakewood, N.J., donated iPads, and he is willing to donate as many iPads as are needed. Sickel said, “If there is an opportunity to give back to kids, especially kids who are suffering, I certainly want to.”
Fighting H.A.R.D. Foundation was co-founded by Jonna, a high school student and her sister Alexandra. Jonna, who has been battling a rare stomach disorder for more than six years, has made it her mission to ensure that other kids dealing with medical situations never feel isolated or alone. Alexandra, a student at Franklin & Marshall, has been battling Crohn’s Disease, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and a connective tissue disease.
Jonna said, “These iPads are making a huge difference. They help kids not feel alone and keep their minds off of things. We are so grateful for the support of Rob Sickel and Pine Belt.”
Fighting H.A.R.D. has also raised more than $250,000 to assist more than 40 New Jersey families. They also send care packages across the country.
For more information, visit Facebook.com/ FightingHARDFoundation; and Instagram.com/ FightingHARDFoundation. Email info@fightinghardfoundation.org
About Pine Belt Cars: Pine Belt Cars, 1088 Route 88, Lakewood, NJ 08701, is a family-owned and operated New Jersey car dealer that offers new or pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs. Pine Belt Cars specializes in Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Subaru cars. The dealership employs a professional team of service technicians with the skills and equipment to handle all manner of maintenance and repairs, and has a full stock of authentic parts.
Pine Belt Cars has four dealerships in Lakewood, N.J., and is very committed philanthropically to local communities. Some of Pine Belt’s philanthropic affiliations include sponsoring the Pine Belt Arena, Lakewood Little League, United Way of Ocean County, Lakewood Police Department, Jewish Federation, and the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council.
Pine Belt Cars was founded in 1937 by Leon Sickel. His son, president and CEO David Sickel, is a lifelong Lakewood resident who graduated from Franklin & Marshall College. He joined the family business in 1970 after attending the General Motors Institute in Detroit, Michigan, and serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve. When his father retired in 1975, David assumed his current role.
For more information call 888-3-PineBelt or 732-363-6244 or visit www.pinebeltcars.com