MENDHAM — Caitlin O’Neill looked about the busy back room of the Grace Lutheran Church
and couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Scores of teens were milling about listening to music, playing games and having a good time while dedicating their efforts to raising money to battle West Morris Central student Olivia Eden readies for another song.
The students of Mendham and West Morris Central High Schools held their annual Coffee
House Night on Friday, Dec. 15. It was one of many events to raise money for “Relay for Life’’ A
fundraising effort sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The student’s efforts culminate at the end of the school year in an all night extravaganza.
Last year the two schools raised a total of $62,177.66 for the national charity by the end of the
school year.
The 19th annual Relay for Life will be held Friday, May 31 at West Morris Central High School.
West Morris traditionally hosts on even numbered calendar years, and Mendham High School
in odd ones. Relay for Life is the only joint fundraising venture held by students at Mendham
and West Morris combined.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, trailing only heart
disease according to the American Cancer Society. More than 600,000 people died of cancer in the U.S. in 2022.
The Coffee House event was well attended and added to the financial totals of both schools.
Chester Township resident Caitlin O’Neill, known locally as "Ms. Chester," is a cancer survivor
and micro-influencer. Her Chester-centric Instagram page has grown over the last five years
and has 15,000 followers. Her jaw dropped when she came to the church and saw all the
activity.
"I was expecting five kids to be here," O’Neill said. "A lot of the kids know me because their
parents are in town and they live in town and I talk a lot about the local businesses and support
them."
O’Neill is not afraid to talk to the students and the importance of their mission. She is now
seven years free of breast cancer.
"I was 28 when I was diagnosed," O’Neill said.
"I have the BRCA gene which gives you 80 to 85 percent chance of getting cancer. I found it on
my own, that is why self breast exams are super important for both men and women and I was
treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering which is a great place. I like to support this because
without modern medicine and research I might not be here today.’’
She said she was deeply impressed with the students of both schools that she encountered. It
was the first time O’Neill had ever been part of a Relay for Life event.
"I am super impressed with the kids," O’Neill said.
"At their age, I don’t think I would be doing something like this. They were professional coming
up to me and introducing themselves, and the teachers taking their time out to do this
voluntarily and be here on a Friday night. It’s huge and I’m super excited."
Visitors were charged $10 to enter which entitled them to a slice of pizza and the freedom to
join in on the festivities. People played board games, engaged in crafts, played trivia, decorated
cookies and made cards that were to be sent to children suffering from cancer. Later on many
engaged in a little Karaoke.
There was live music all night which included: performances by the schools a cappella singing
groups and singer Megan Pepper, a Mendham High student and Chester Township resident.
They also received a performance by their own TV star of sorts.
Olivia Eden, the West Morris Central sophomore student who in the fall had a pair of
performances on the NBC Television reality show "The Voice" played guitar and sang 11 songs
including one original creation to rousing cheers.
Eden was reluctant to talk about her TV adventures but she said she wouldn’t miss the "Coffee
House’" for the world. She was also a feature attraction at last year’s fundraiser before she
gained national exposure behind the microphone.
"I love being able to play for so many people and work on my music," said Eden, a member of
her school's Relay for Life.
Members of the schools worked in the fall raising money through "Fall Fest," the Mendham-
West Morris High School football game, and other individual fundraising endeavors.
The students also got off to a fast start in fundraising for 2024. They are expecting to earn more donations during the basketball games between the schools on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The boys game has West Morris Central visiting Mendham while the Mendham girls travel to face West Morris at Central.
"Relay is accepting of an open, optimistic community of people," Mendham volunteer Allison
Wise said. "We love everybody here. They are so willing to help. It’s so incredible to see
everybody come out and help out."