Support 'Be Like Jake' On Giving Tuesday, Howell Officer Urges

HOWELL, NJ — Giving Tuesday is a global movement with local impact, especially in Howell where a pediatric cancer foundation, Be Like Jake, continues to rally the community.

Be Like Jake - or #belikejake - was inspired by Jake Honig, who died at age 7 in 2018 from a rare form of brain cancer.

But Jake's spirit, coupled with his family's dedication, has created a foundation that is growing each year to support families facing similar crises, says Howell Police Capt. Tom Rizzo.

Rizzo said Jake and his son Nicholas "hit if off" as young boys (they had basketball team debates, he said), and that brought him into the world of Jake's parents, Mike and Janet, whom Rizzo marvels at for their dedication to helping others.

For example, on Thanksgiving, Howell Police and Southard Fire Department assisted the Be Like Jake Foundation with a parade of vehicles for a Howell family who has a child battling a serious medical issue.

The foundation delivered gifts and a Thanksgiving feast to "take a little pressure off the family," the foundation said.

And Rizzo used the occasion to post his encouragement that, if people are considering making donations on Giving Tuesday, which is Nov. 28, that they consider the foundation. You can go to the Be Like Jake website to see ways to donate.

Rizzo said Monday that the Honigs "give so much more than they can possibly get."

The family's strength has been inspiring to him personally and to the department and the community, he said.

Rizzo said a retired Howell Police Corporal Mike Pavlick first created the bond with the foundation and the department.

And Rizzo is there now to back up the foundation's work all the way. As he said in his post on Howell Happenings about Be Like Jake and the Honigs:

"I proudly share the story of a living hero to me. No, he’s not an A-lister, sports figure, or general. . . .a man/family who define leadership, the epitome of vulnerability, courage, perseverance/perspective, and the ultimate model of selfless service," he said of the Honigs.

He said the foundation and supporters on Thursday visited a "local princess, 6-year-old Fiona."

"Mike Honig, you’ve taught me and so many others about being a man, a leader, a public servant, and a father. You and your beautiful family continue to transcend your personal loss into endless wins for others," Rizzo said.

Rizzo explained how the Honigs also impacted the state through Jake's Law (Jake Honig's Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act of 2019) that expanded amounts of medicinal marijuana available for patients to recover from such things as the effects of chemo, yet be engaged and comfortable at home. (Before that law, Jake's parents had very limited access to cannabis.)

But "Jake the Tank" as he came to be known at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia had a strong spirit throughout his illness. And Rizzo said his father cherishes the years the family had with Jake.

So another "Tanks-giving" became another opportunity to help someone else.

And Rizzo said Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for everyone to show support.

Giving Tuesday "reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity," its website says. And it encourages everything from acts of kindness to global or local causes - all through the year.

"Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give," the organization says.