Newtown's 'Light The Night Pink' Tops $90K, Breaks Fundraising Record

Business & Tech

Newtown's 'Light The Night Pink' Tops $90K, Breaks Fundraising Record Developer Joe DeLuca crowned Mr. Bucks County as the community comes together to support breast cancer patients.

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown business community not only turned the town pink on during October, they raised more than $90,000 for Main St., a nonprofit devoted to supporting breast cancer patients in Bucks County.

During a block party fundraiser that featured the crowning of the 2024 Mr. Bucks County, the business community raised upwards of $91,000 for the nonprofit, which supports breast cancer patients at Fox Chase Cancer Center Buckingham, Grand View Health, Doylestown Health, and the Kin Wellness and Support Center through programs such as food assistance, cold capping, integrative services, counseling and therapy, out-of-pocket expenses, treatment transportation, comfort bags and treatment center support and improvements.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Mr. August Bill Wise was the first runner up this year, raising $5,575. He is a 30 year firefighter and a business development executive with ServPro.

The fundraising surpassed last year's event total of $68,000 and brings the two year total to more than $150,000.

During the special evening, 12 contestants, including a real estate developer, a firefighter, a restaurant owner, several business owners, a sales and marketing expert, a jewelry store owner, and others, took a walk down a pink carpet on South State Street where they showcased the latest in men's formal wear from Giovanni's Fine Fashions.

The men's fashion show culminated 45 days of fundraising by the contestants and the crowning of Mr. Bucks County, the contestant who raised the most money for the cause by coming up with unique ways to meet their fundraising goals and encouraging friends and family to vote for them online by making donations.

"Nothing was off limits," said Superstar Lender Chadd Levine, who helped emcee the evening's event. "Kevin was a guest bartender. Joe wrote handwritten letters to friends and family. And Eric used spa treatments as an incentive."

This year, the contestants were accompanied on the pink carpet by a breast cancer survivor or a current patient.

After introducing the 12 contestants to the town, Giovanni's owner Gina-Maria Santoro, who came up with the idea with Mark Gatta from Opus Elite Real Estate and Superstar Lender Chadd Levine, announced the winner from the porch shared by Opus Elite and Giovanni's.

Among this year top fundraiser were Mr. January Mike Kanoff, the owner of Michael's Jewelers who raised $4,035, and Mr. August Bill Wise, a 30 year firefighter and a business development executive with ServPro who raised $5,575.

But it was Mr. November, real estate developer Joe DeLuca, who captured the crown raising an astounding $51,000.

DeLuca, who was accompanied by his wife, Rita, a breast cancer survivor, was presented with a crown for winning the contest. He also won a $250 gift certificate to Giovanni's and hormone replacement therapy, a $3200 value, from 4Ever Young.

Joe DeLuca escorted by his wife. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

"It's an honor to be able to give back," said DeLuca after winning the crown. "I'm very humbled to be part of such a great cause. I know how we felt when my wife found out. This charity really helps a lot of women at a time when they need it most."

The other contestants included Dr. Chris Aland (Mr. February), of the Rothman Institute and retired Council Rock team doctor; Kevin Donlon (Mr. March), a real estate agent with Opus Elite; Michael Christou (Mr. April), the owner of Ardana Restaurant in Newtown and Warrington; Eric Chamberlain (Mr. May), the owner of Eden Organics in Newtown; Dan Knott (Mr. June), a dental implant sales representative; Rich Fekete (Mr. July), owner of Countryside Framing and Gallery; Heath Dumack (Mr. September), the owner of Dumack Engineering; Jason Beaver (Mr. October), a master colorist and hair stylist with David Witchell; and Mike Sobcazk (Mr. December), the owner of Training for Warriors.

In addition to the fashion show, the business owners compiled a calendar spotlighting each of the 12 contestants in a series of humorous photos captured by photographer Joe Dantone who donated his professional services for the event. The calendars were sold at the block party for $20 each and are also available through Giovanni's.

The block party also included thousands of dollars raised from raffle prizes and gift baskets.

"We are eternally grateful to the retailers and local entrepreneurs in Newtown who spearheaded this entire event," said Keith Fenimore, the founder of Main St. "They are doing wonders for our local breast cancer community through their support of Main St." He added, "With the help of this event and the 15 others that we have going on this month, I'm predicting this is going to be the largest fundraising month in our seven years. We've already surpassed 2,000 people who we have helped. And we're going to end up helping a lot more, which is fantastic."

Standing on South State Street in the midst of the Light the Night Pink fundraiser, Fenimore said he was overwhelmed knowing that it came from an idea that blossomed into a real life, living, breathing mission. To see the pink lights and to see the hundreds of people come out and all the businesses setting up and then seeing the community come out to support the evening is literally overwhelming in the most positive way possible."

Santoro came up with the fundraising idea last year after batting around a few ideas with friends out on the sidewalk. They eventually hit on the idea of the Mr. Bucks County contest.

From there, the idea took off quickly gaining the support of the Newtown community, which embraced the contest and the cause.

"We exceeded all expectations," said Santoro, who led the fundraiser from start to finish. "It was an amazing night. The backdrop, the people, the contestants, the music, the pink carpet. It was electric," she said. "I hope everyone enjoyed it and fed off of it like we did.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," she said to the contestants and to people who donated and came out to the block party. "This is not possible without you.

"We are incredibly proud to be part of the Main Street family and to have raised over $90,000 through the Mr. Bucks County Competition and the Light the Night Pink event. This milestone means so much more than just a number — it represents hope and tangible support for local cancer patients who are navigating the toughest battle of their lives," she said. "These funds will directly help provide essential services, financial assistance, and emotional support to individuals in our community, ensuring that no one fights cancer alone. We're honored to be a part of something that truly makes a difference."

"The mission of Main St. is to support the needs of the local breast cancer community," said Fenimore. "Our hyperlocal focus is powered by small towns and people like Gina who can use their local influence to create opportunities for people and businesses to participate in a meaningful way. We are thankful and grateful to Gina and everyone who lent a hand in the success of this year's event. The awareness and funds raised will help hundreds of locals within our Bucks County breast cancer community!"

Donations can be made via check to Main St. and sent to P.O. Box 307, Doylestown 18901. For additional information about Main St.,.

Last year's Mr. Bucks County, Newtown Borough Police Sgt. Sean Orr, is escorted by Newtown Borough Secretary and Tax Collector Judy Musto. (Jeff Werner/Patch)