Our Mission, Story & Impact
Our Mission
The Michael Gerard Puharic Memorial Fund, Inc. is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort and easing the burden for parents carrying and caring for seriously ill newborns in Monmouth and Ocean County, NJ.
We supply material goods and financial support. This allows families caring for an ill preemie or newborn time to focus on what is important - caring for their child.
Our Story
Michael's Feat was created and named in loving memory of Michael Gerard Puharic. Michael was born on July 29, 2000 to Adam and Dana Puharic.
During the pregnancy, Dana and Adam were informed that Michael would face grave health problems resulting from a chromosome disorder known as Trisomy 13.
Sadly, his life lasted only 83 hours. While he was not with us long, Michael's legacy lives on and continues to inspire hope. His brave struggle and the love and caring he brought out in people remains an amazing accomplishment. This is Michael’s “feat.”
Our Impact
Michael’s Feat provides direct assistance to families in our community with financial and emotional support; we equip local hospitals with life-saving technology, allowing families to receive care near their homes; we maintain a relationship with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia through our dedicated Michael’s Feat liaison; and manage a “living room away from home” Family Room at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Community Medical Center, and CentraState Medical Center as well as a Parent Sleep Suite at Monmouth Medical Center. Michael’s Feat is dedicated to supporting local families as they journey through the NICU process. While they are caring for their babies, often families feel isolated from the joys of the outside world. We make it our duty to remember and celebrate life’s specials occasions, with our annual photos with Santa, Valentine’s Day treats, Mother’s Day brunch, Father’s Day gifts, and holiday decorations and providing presents. Since our inception, the Puharic family, along with many dedicated volunteers, medical personnel and donors have honored baby Michael’s memory by providing aid, comfort and support to seriously-ill newborns and their families in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Among our many milestones are:
Michael’s Feat has provided thousands of families with direct financial assistance.
Michael’s Feat was honored by two Monmouth Chamber of Commerce organizations as their Volunteer Organization of the Year.
In 2006 we purchased two $40,000 giraffe omni-beds-one for each of Monmouth County’s two Level IV neo-natal intensive care units (NICUS).
In 2007 we opened a Family Room in Monmouth Medical Center.
In 2008 we began a liaison relationship with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) where some of our area’s most seriously ill newborns are transferred.
In 2010, we purchased two head cooling units—again one for each of Monmouth County’s two Level IV neo-natal NICUs—both at a cost of over $30,000 each.
In 2012 we opened a second Family Room at CentraState Medical Center
And in 2015-2016 we opened our third Family Room at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and a Parent Sleep Suite at Monmouth Medical Center.
In 2019, we established new health meal delivery program with Eat Clean Bro for current NICU parents at Monmouth Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
In 2020, we opened our fourth Family Room at Community Medical Center, Ocean County NJ.