A Dream Trip for the Tans

By Katie McFadden

The Tans are going to Disney. During the annual Graybeards Dinner on Saturday, February 4, those who helped support the 2022 Stockings for a Cause got to see the result of their donation unfold at The Rockaway Hotel.

When local resident Eugene Brennan launched Stockings for a Cause in late November, he had a big goal in mind for the Tan family. This year’s honoree, Teddy Tan, served with the U.S. Navy for more than 30 years, going on several deployments to conflict zones, including multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After his last deployment, Tan came back severely ill and no longer physically able to stay active in the military. His illness, an aggressive immune response attacking his cerebellum, left him wheelchair bound, and with loss of his speech and fine motor skills. Even worse, Tan’s diagnosis is terminal, and he was given less than two years to live. Moved by his story, Brennan wanted to raise as much money as possible to give the Tan family a dream trip to Disney World, so they can create memories that will last a lifetime, and then some more to help support Tan’s two elementary-age boys.

The Stockings campaign that involved raising donations at local bars and restaurants throughout the holiday season, was a huge success. At the Graybeards event, Teddy’s wife, Laura Tan, was on hand to accept a check on behalf of the family. “The Tans got their wish to go on a fully funded Disney vacation which will happen in April and on top of that we raised $35,000 for them,” Brennan said.

As he is undergoing treatments, Teddy was unable to make it to the event, but Brennan was able to touch base with him. “It was an amazing night at the Graybeards dinner,” Brennan said. “The Tan family was so appreciative. I was able to FaceTime with Teddy while he was in Walter Reed and saw the look of gratitude on his face.”

Brennan is overjoyed by the community support and being able to pay it forward to the Tan family. “It’s an amazing feeling!  I just want to thank everyone who donated this year, and hopefully we can keep making an impact on our soldiers every Christmas!”