Real Housewives of New Jersey Star Dina Manzo Gives Back

By Kelly Rouba

Real Housewives of New Jersey Star Runs Charity for Children with Life-Threatening Illnesses

In spite of what the public might think, it wasn't the lure of fame or fortune that convinced Dina Manzo to agree to share her private life with millions of viewers on BRAVOs hit reality series The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Instead, the self-proclaimed homebody said it was the chance to generate some much needed interest in Project Ladybug, a non-profit organization she created to benefit children with life-threatening illnesses, that drew her in.

When the opportunity to be on The Real Housewives series came along, we were all hesitant to do it for several reasons and we kept on saying no, no, no, no, no (to BRAVO execs) and they kept on coming back at us. Finally, I'm like, You know what? This is the most amazing opportunity for (Project) Ladybug because it was hard to get local press at our event. So we decided to do it, and I say it gave Ladybug its wings because we're now a national foundation.

Established by Manzo just over three years ago, Project Ladybug offers assistance to patients and their families who are coping with life-threatening diseases. Presently, Project Ladybug has established a fund at St. Josephs Childrens Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey to assist families facing financial and emotional hardships during their child's treatment.
According to the organization's website, Project Ladybug has funded wish trips, purchased laptop computers for children's use in the hospital, provided life saving medication, and much more. My goal is to have Ladybug Funds all across the country at all different hospitals and at different (Ladybug) chapters throughout the country, so we're working on structuring that, Manzo said.

According to Manzo, she has always had a soft spot in her heart for children battling cancer and would often donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital when she received requests for donations in the mail. One day, I was in bill paying mode and wasn't really paying attention and I saw this photograph and it looked so much like my daughter when she was a child and I said, Who sent me this picture of Lexi?  and it was actually one of the St. Jude kids. It was a little girl, a baby, with a rare form of leukemia and it just struck me close; you know, that could have been my child. How lucky and fortunate I am that I don't spend 24/7 in the hospital like many of these moms do.

At that moment, Manzo decided she wanted to do more than simply donate money to the cause. I figured let me just start my own foundation, and it kind of just started with let me just do a little something for the kids in our own backyard at St. Joes and the hospital is really so wonderful, she said, adding, they have such passion for what they do there and my daughter was born there. My husband was born there. So I chose that hospital to start the fund. It just snowballed from there.

Manzo, who is an event planner, decided to start out by hosting one annual fundraiser, which has become known as Ladies Night Out. I always wanted to gear it around just having a great time, so you're going out, having fun with your girlfriends, and raising money. This year, the event will take place on June 7 at The Brownstone, a NJ-based banquet hall run by the Manzo family, and the theme is "Moroccan Nights".According to Project Ladybug Board member Diana Dolling-Ross, close to 1,000 women are expected to attend.

In addition, we are working on having Walk-a-thons throughout the country, Manzo said, adding she has received a lot of positive feedback and offers from people who want to volunteer their time in various capacities since BRAVO began highlighting Project Ladybug on the show.

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People all over are supporting us, from mothers who are going through their child having cancer and just reaching out to us to people who have lost children. We've really touched so many people and it really gives you faith there are good people out there.
According to Manzo, Project Ladybug oversees a number of programs at the hospital and no one is turned away from participating. For example, we'll finance some holistic treatment, acupuncture and different medications that they're experimenting with that's really helping actually. We'll throw (the children) birthday parties. We'll buy their wigs. At Halloween, we made sure every kid had the costume they wanted. We had a parade and Santa and his elves came for Christmas and fulfilled their Christmas lists.

Project Ladybug volunteers also gather the children once a month to do fun activities from putting on plays to actually going to see plays in New York City. It makes them look forward to getting their treatments and want to go to the hospital and want to be there instead of dreading it, Manzo said.

The organization has also created a system at the hospital where for every time a child has to endure something that is unpleasant, from a painful injection to taking a huge pill, they earn points. Once they've earned a certain amount of points, they receive a prize. Prizes could be anything from an iPod to a laptop, depending on how painful and invasive the treatment.
We are trying to turn around the whole thought process of being treated, Manzo said. They hate to do it, but they know they are that much closer to getting their iPod, so it kind of turns around the thought process and, in turn, their prognosis is actually improved.
Manzo said the children also receive donations of special pajamas so they don't have to wear hospital gowns, and that the children and their families are always so appreciative of everything they are given. In that area of New Jersey, some of these families don't have the funds to put dinner on the table, Manzo said. (Being able to help them) is so rewarding. It really is.

Project Ladybug also recently funded the construction of an enclosed playground for children staying at St. Joseph. Also, we're re-doing the treatment rooms to be very whimsical and fun,  Manzo said, adding that a lot of thought was put into the design. We're kind of doing a "Where's Waldo" theme with ladybugs. (That way, the children are) distracted while they're doing the treatments.

Project Ladybug has even had a hand in redecorating the hallways of the Oncology Ward. We're making it like a gallery and we're going to have the children make their own ladybug art and it's going to be featured in the gallery. Eventually, the children will get a frame for their artwork so they can bring it home. The whole idea is to make them want to be there and forget that they're even there because they're sick.

Those who'd like to donate to Project Ladybug are encouraged to visit www.projectladybug.org. All donations go directly to supporting their mission. I'm a 100 percent volunteer. I don't ever take a penny. All our volunteers never expect to get paid and that's huge. I was always worried when I gave my money to a foundation, (as in)  "Does this pay for someone's jet?" Manzo said, noting that only the accountant and attorney get paid. Everyone else gives of their talent and their time. Our board meetings are sometimes around my dining room table because we don't want to spend any unnecessary money because every penny counts.

Dolling-Ross agrees. It's a wonderful, wonderful foundation and, for me, it's very gratifying to be on the Board because I know how she gives tirelessly, and I see where the money is going and how it benefits the children. As for her next project, Manzo wants to establish Ladybug houses, which she likens to Ronald McDonald houses, at various hospitals. Currently, she is looking for property in Paterson for the first house. My goal is to make them very whimsical, where kids can't wait to get there. Plus, the parents and children who need to travel, they'll have a safe place that they can stay in while the kid is receiving treatment, she said, adding, It all takes time, and I'm patient but determined to get it done.

To help raise funds for this effort, Manzo now offers a line of ladybug jewelry and products on their website and Dolling-Ross also sells items for the charity in her store called Town & Country in Ridgewood, NJ.

Although volunteers are busier than ever with projects and raising funds, loyal fans of The Real Housewives of New Jersey won't  see any Project Ladybug fundraisers on-air this season. The show tends to be a lot about drama. Even last year, an episode aired where it had the event (for Project Ladybug). It was an amazing event, it really was, but they targeted me. There was a little bit of drama between me and my sister. To me, that's not what (the organization is) all about. It's a positive thing, and I want it to be shed in the most positive light, Manzo said.

Filming the show hasn't been easy. This whole process for me is so painful, Manzo said. I went through a lot. There's a lot of drama. There's a lot of heartache, but in the end, what came out of it was worth it. Everybody was put on this earth for a reason and Project Ladybug is why I'm here. It's what feels best to me. It's what I want to do, and I know I don't make a dime and I'm exhausted at the end of the day, but it comes back in so many other ways. I've met such wonderful people I mean the most wonderful people.

For more information on Project Ladybug, including upcoming events and how to donate, visit www.projectladybug.org.