For Pete’s Sake: The Love Story Behind the Charity that Keeps on Giving
As featured in Seven Mile Times:
The For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation began with young love. Charitable love keeps events – like FPS’s 5th Annual Buttoned-Up BBQ benefit in Stone Harbor – going. Steadfast love from supporters, partners, staffers, volunteers and others keeps FPS growing.
All that love begets even more love because For Pete’s Sake provides customized, cost-free respite vacations for cancer patients ages 24-55, their children and a primary caregiver.
“For Pete’s Sake, Take a Break From Cancer” is the nonprofit group’s mantra.
FPS has deep roots in Sea Isle City, especially Mary Anne Pastry Shoppe on 44th Street, which the Kuttler family has owned and operated in SIC for 50 years. Decades ago, when For Pete’s Sake’s founder and CEO Marci Schankweiler was teenaged Marci Kuttler, she worked for her parents, Mariann and Herb Kuttler, in the family bakery during the summer.
Schankweiler and her young co-workers’ days brightened up when lifeguards, like “salt of the earth” Pete Bossow Jr., stopped by the shop, she says, adding, “Pete loved chocolate doughnuts.” The young ladies behind the counter at Mary Anne Pastry Shoppe encouraged such visits by slipping free doughnuts to the lifeguards. “I think my mom knew!” Schankweiler says, softly.
Apparently, the namesake of For Pete’s Sake’s loved more than those free doughnuts.
FPS has been awarded a perfect score by Charity Navigator, a feat accomplished by less than one-tenth of one percent of charities! As the end of 2023 approaches, we encourage you to make your gift by December 31! By choosing to support FPS, you are not just donating to a charity; you can give with confidence and know that your donation will have a direct impact on the 795 people we plan to serve this year with over 76,000 hours of respite.