Photos Courtesy of Instagram
By Michael V. Cusenza
Santa Claus and company joined thousands of revelers on Saturday in Neponsit for Joe Mure’s 21st annual Little North Pole extravaganza.
Each year the attorney and tireless fundraiser for type 1 diabetes research invites children of all ages to Neponsit Avenue and Beach 144th Street for hours of holiday food, family fun, and gifts from the patriarch of the North Pole. Hosted by radio personalities Joe Causi and Goumba Johnny, the massive event boasted appearances from celebrities including Tony Sirico of “The Sopranos,” and live entertainment – all benefiting JDRF, the leading global organization funding T1D research. Since 1970, the organization has contributed more than $2 billion to T1D research.
According to JDRF, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved.
For more information, or to donate, visit jdrf.org.
