On June 7, Gilda’s Club announced its suspension of operations but an unexpected savior, Leonard Stern, chairman of Hartz Mountain, pledged $200,000, pulling the organization from an untimely financial grave.

"Donations were down due to the economic situation. Many of our donors were contributing less or were giving to fewer organizations. Many non-profits were affected, and to stay solvent we had to make changes like laying off some staff members. We also had to decrease our hours of operation temporarily," explained Lenore Guido, executive director of Gilda’s Club, when asked about the events preceding June 7. "Unfortunately, these steps were not enough."

Even organizations as successful as the American Red Cross have been struck hard as well. The local chapter announced that it no longer could provide space for the Junior League of Bergen County Service Center even with a strong volunteer membership and its stellar reputation.

As tough as these past months have been for the nonprofits, the future appears just as grim. Some experts estimate a minimum of two or three years will be necessary for the economy to fully recover. For the nonprofits, such predictions deliver a painful blow. A prolonged recession will only continue to trouble charities as their coffers continue to diminish. Those ready to fight the restraints will have to resort to more creative means to collect money. Thus, Gilda’s Club has devised a new plan to stay afloat.

"With the help of our staff, members, volunteers, board members and the community at large, we are in the midst of an aggressive fund-raising campaign and are working on a long-term sustainability plan," said Guido.

"We exist on the generosity of the community. We will rely heavily on our staff, volunteers and members to raise awareness of our needs and ask for support from our community network. So far the response has been overwhelming and the community seems to share our passion for our mission."

A pitch for Gilda’s

Marked by its signature red door, Gilda’s Club in Hackensack has been providing support for cancer patients and their families since it opened April 13, 2000.

It has been nearly 20 years since the "Saturday Night Live" cast member Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Beloved for her Emily Litella, Roseanne Roseannadanna, Lisa Loopner, and Baba Wawa personas, Radner found success early in her life on one of the biggest stages of American television. She married actor and producer Gene Wilder and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly after. While Radner was able to combat the cancer into regression temporarily, the cancer eventually spread into her lungs and liver, which untimely led to her passing on May 20, 1989.

Despite her situation, Radner never felt the alienation that many in her situation have experienced. As she endured painful cancer treatments, she always had friends and family by her side.

Radner, recognizing the benefits of such kindness, demanded that there should be places where cancer patients can receive the support she had. On the spirit of her words, Wilder decided to create Gilda’s Club to bring Radner’s suggestion to fruition. He opened the first branch of Gilda’s Club in New York City in 1995.

Gilda’s Club will hold a bellydancing showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at Redd’s Restaurant in Carlstadt.

Tickets are $25, and proceeds will benefit the club.

For tickets or more information about the show, call 201-457-1670. More information about the club is available at www.gildasclubnnj.org.