March 8, 2021
By: Tyler Eckel
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP (MERCER)– Hundreds participated in a fundraiser that was held at Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs today to raise money for Joey’s Little Angels playground being built in Hamilton’s Limewood Park.
Joey’s Little Angels is a non-profit organization organized in memory of 15-month-old Joey Angiolino. Joey was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease at just seven months old called Hurler’s Syndrome, and passed away in 2010. The organization was started by his parents, who are both teachers in Mercer County, to provide assistance to families who have children going through similar situations.
Joey’s Little Angels is currently working with Where Angels Play Foundation to build a playground at Limewood Park in the Golden Crest section of Hamilton Township, Mercer County. The playground will be called Joey’s Place. Joey’s Little Angels is raising money over the next year for the the playground to be built, and hope to have it up for kids to play in April of 2022.
The fundraiser was held at Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, in efforts to help Joey’s Little Angels and Where Angels Play Foundation build the playground. When you visited Captain Paul’s and chowed down on their great food, a portion of the proceeds were donated towards the efforts to build Joey’s Place.
If you didn’t make it out to Captain Paul’s and wish to donate towards the build, you can donate here.
Background behind Where Angels Play Foundation and their playground builds:
Shortly after the Newtown, CT tragedy, the New Jersey State FMBA, like everywhere else, was already struggling to be productive and helpful to advocate for firefighters and their families, supporting countless communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The FMBA also struggled to find a way to appropriately honor these children and their families for the tragedy that they suffered. That’s when they came up with the idea to build twenty-six playgrounds in communities destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, each one honoring a teacher or student that was lost that day in Newtown, CT.
Twenty-six playgrounds have been constructed all along the coast of three states. They have been built by firefighters, police officers, teachers, support staff, and volunteers in an attempt to connect two tragedies that eerily share the same name in a way that people can never forget. Each playground reflects the personality of the teacher or child for whom it would be named. This project has the approval of all of the families of those lost in Connecticut. After The Sandy Ground Project was completed in just 18 months, the 26 families wanted to “pay it forward” and continue to build playgrounds to honor others in needy communities across the country as well as internationally. Thus, Where Angels Play Foundation was born.
Currently, Where Angels Play Foundation is working with Joey’s Little Angels to build a playground in memory of Joseph “Joey” Thomas Angiolino. In December of 2009, at 7 months of age, Joey was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Hurler’s Syndrome. At 15 months of age, after a tremendous battle, Joey became an angel. Joey’s Little Angels is founded by Joey’s family who are very active in their community to raise money for various children’s hospitals. In April of 2022, “Joey’s Place” will be built in Limewood Park to celebrate the life of Joey.
About Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs:
Captain Paul’s Firehouse dogs is located at 2230 Princeton Pike in Lawrence Township. According to their website, Captain Paul’s is a small family-owned and operated business in Mercer County. It was established in 2009 when the owner, Paul Tweedly, retired from the Trenton Fire Department as Captain after 26 years of service.
It is a business “Dedicated to the men and women associated with emergency services, the military and their families, and for all those who volunteer to help others.”
The variety of menu items can be viewed here. They offer takeout and outdoor dining, as indoor dining is limited.
Layout for Joey’s Place in Limewood Park
Photos from the fundraiser by Ashley Palombi
Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs