Enthusiastic first-graders from St. Denis School, Manasquan, experienced the joy of giving when they chose non-profit Michael’s Feat for a recent class service project.

According to St. Denis School PTA Publicity Chairwoman Colleen Craig, students were already familiar with the organization, which was founded by parishioner Dana Puharic and assists the families of critically-ill newborns. The students wanted to do something to spread cheer to families served by the organization and invited Puharic to visit their classroom in mid-December.

Puharic spoke briefly about her mission and was impressed with the caring and concern of the students, who designed Christmas cards and ornaments for families spending time with their ill newborns at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, and Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.

Michael’s Feat was formed to provide assistance and comfort to the families of critically-ill newborns who are admitted to neonatal intensive care units in local hospitals. The organization provides a range of services for the families including comfort packages, blankets, baby care items, and even professional photography sessions right in the NICU, to ease their stress during a very difficult time.

In May 2007, the organization established a resource room just outside the NICU of Monmouth Medical Center. The room provides a dedicated space for families and friends of babies admitted to the NICU, according to Puharic.

“The space was designed to function as a ‘living room’ away from home,” Puharic stated, “providing the comforts of home to families while they spend so much time in the hospital.”

Puharic manages Michael’s Feat with her husband, Adam Puharic, and together they have raised over $1 million to date. The couple resides in Wall Township with their children.

Visiting with the first-grade class, Puharic spoke about her inspiration for founding Michael’s Feat. She created the organization as a memorial to her own son – Michael Gerard Puharic – who died 83 hours after he was born. “When I was at the hospital with Michael, I saw a need to create a haven for families. You want to be there every second with your baby,” she noted.

Puharic and her mission are fueled by faith, and her empathy is heartfelt due to her own loss. “The pain of losing a child is unimaginable, but with my husband, Adam, at my side, I was able to surrender much of my pain to God every day in order to prepare for Michael’s death. It was my faith that gave me tremendous strength to face the difficult road ahead.

“Knowing Michael was with God gave me comfort and made it more bearable. Adam and I were honored to be Michael’s parents and knew God had a much bigger plan for him than most. Although his time here was brief, he made more of an impact in this world than most people can do in 83 years. It gives me great joy to assist other local families who have babies in the NICU, and now, 10 years later, Michael has helped me touch the lives of hundreds of families, truly an amazing ‘feat,’” Puharic said.

The cards and ornaments created by the class were delivered to the hospitals in time for Christmas and were received warmly by the recipients, according to Puharic.

“Both the hospital staff and the parents were so appreciative. Such a small gesture of kindness made the impossible situation bearable. Michael’s Feat is grateful for the support of students at St. Denis,” she noted.

Information on Michael’s Feat is available at www.michaelsfeat.org