As a citizen of Ridgewood and a sports lover, I was proud to see how one family in our community continues to help another through the power of sports.
As the owner of the competitive Goats Basketball program, Joe Jackson, a father of 2 kids and a basketball coach, says that his life is “basketball through and through.” Because of this, he has to rely heavily on his wife, Lynsey, to take care of the kids, calling her the glue that holds the family together. So when he met Glenn Prettitore, a man who takes care of three kids because his wife, Kerrie, suffered a significant brain injury in early 2014, it “struck a chord” with him. So Joe decided to create a 3-on-3 tournament to help Kerrie and the Prettitores. With Joe and Lynsey’s help, the community of Ridgewood, NJ banded together to help a family in need.
Glenn and his children, Fiona, Maeve and Liam, at the tournament
Kerrie was diagnosed with DPD deficiency after being treated for colon cancer. This is a condition when one’s immune system can’t handle fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapy drug. Kerrie was never tested for DPD deficiency, and as a result, she developed neuroencephalopathy from 5-FU toxicity. As she has been working hard on her recovery at a facility for nearly four years, Glenn has had to raise the kids alone. He greatly appreciates the help from Joe. “It’s awesome to be able to teach my kids that so many people care about us, so many people that we don’t even know,” says Glenn. There were 200 players on 60 teams, and altogether, about 500 people came to watch, play or buy something from the bake sale. “It makes me feel good that people care,” says Fiona Prettitore, Glenn’s fourth grade daughter.
Two community moms, Mandy Roth and Elizabeth McCarthy, help out with the bakesale
When asked what his life would be like without his wife, Joe said, “I’d have to rely on extended family…Glenn is a selfless man and is amazing. He puts himself last.” Joe spoke about Glenn in awe recognizing how hard it must be to work, take care of his family and support his wife. Joe, who had 3 games to coach that night and had started his day at 5:30 am, also balances his life between his family and his work in basketball. But his passion for basketball and his appreciation of how much his own family depends on his wife is what fueled the idea of a 3-on-3 for Kerrie. This isn’t the first time he decided to give back to the community of Ridgewood through sports. Not only is this his third StrongMomTM tournament, but he also coaches special olympics and was recently awarded a certificate by Ridgewood recognizing his efforts with the community’s special needs children and adults. “He truly has an enormous heart,” says his wife, Lynsey.
To learn more about Kerrie or support the cause, please visit www.strongmom.org
Lynsey Jackson checking in participants and selling shirts
What a great story!
I love this story – it shows how sports can make a real difference in communities and families!
What a well written article! You are a gifted writer! When a community comes together, amazing things can happen 🙂 And thank you for bringing more awareness to StrongMom and this amazing family.
This is a terrific article! I loved reading about the connection to our community. I’m so impressed that you decided to recognize and highlight StrongMom, and for your ability to point out all that moms, dads, and caregivers do to support their families! Take the time today to thank your own mom and dad for all of their support for you. And thank YOU for writing such an informative article. The Prettitores are always close to our hearts!