Nonprofit Organization & 501(c)3/Tax Exempt
We are a nonprofit organization and 501(c) which means we are tax exempt.
Our Tax ID number is 83-4646007.
The Step Back Foundation
Mission Statement
-To motivate & inspire kids at an early age to be a part of something special (whether that may be a sports team, club, or organization) by building self-love, poise & confidence.
Meet Our Team/Board of Directors:
Caitlin McMullan:
Caitlin is currently a senior at Stockton University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Historical Studies. As a full time resident of North Wildwood, she attended Margaret Mace School and graduated from Wildwood Catholic High School. Caitlin is now an assistant coach for the Wildwood Catholic Academy girls basketball team and is on the coaching staff for the KAC Tar Heels AAU program.
Ally Kuvik:
Born in Northeast Philadelphia, Ally graduated from Saint Joseph’s with a degree in Food Marketing. She currently works at Performance Food Group. Ally loves hanging with three sisters and helps coach the goalies for her sister’s soccer team. In high school, Allt won the Jefferson award and was on CSC. Ally also helps coordinate Step Back events and is on our promotion team.
Danielle Deritis:
Born and raised in North Wildwood, Danielle just finished up her senior year at Rowan University studying Communication. She was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and their Vice President of Academic Affairs. She attended Margaret Mace elementary school and graduated from Cape May County Technical high school. Formerly Miss North Wildwood and loves to spend her free time hanging out with family and friends or at the beach!
Christa Linnington:
Christa is a Cape May native who currently resides in Wildwood. She attended Our Lady Star of the Sea School, graduated from Wildwood Catholic High School in 2011, and continued her education at Coastal Carolina University. After graduating cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing in 2015, Christa returned home and received her real estate salesperson license. Soon after she began working as a Commercial Account Manager at the J Byrne Insurance Agency, licensed in property and casualty. Christa has a passion for volunteering and donates her time to a variety of non-profit organizations in Cape May County. She was named the 2020 Young Professional of the Year by the CMC Chamber of Commerce.
Mack McCracken:
Our vice president, Mack, is a North Wildwood local. She attended Widener University and played basketball there for four years. Mack graduated from Wildwood High School as a three sport athlete. Along with her sister, Maddie, her name is on the 1,000 point board at WHS. She currently works as a sales representative for Winebow. Mack helps plan our events and handles the scheduling for the Step Back Foundation’s Annual 3v3 tournament. She loves spending time with her favorite people, going to the beach and riding her bike.
Molly Palmer:
Molly is 29 years old, and was born and raised in Hershey, PA. She currently resides in North Wildwood. In her free time, Molly enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the beach and traveling. Molly wrote, "Maddie inspired my sister and I to start our own nonprofit, Creating Sunshine Forever. I’m so excited to join The Step Back Foundation and help give back to the community." We are so excited to have Molly join us to help plan and coordinate for our events, specifically our Fall Auction Night.
Corinne Clarke:
Corinne was raised in Wildwood Crest and attended St. Ann School and Wildwood Catholic. She graduated with honors from the University of Scranton and has taken grad classes at Stockton University. Corinne has been teaching Kindergarten for over 20 years at Margaret Mace School in North Wildwood (where she taught the founder of the Step Back Foundation Maddie McCracken! ) Corinne is an active member of the Women of Wildwood, a nonprofit local women’s organization committed to making a positive impact on the Wildwood community. She is also a familiar face to many as she has been an employee at Sam’s Pizza Palace for many years. Corinne and her husband (high school sweetheart)Jim live in Wildwood Crest and are the proud parents of twin girls Ivy & Evelyn, and a son James. They are a very busy and active family involved in many events and sports in the community.
Dennis Dool:
Dennis was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, where he was a graduate of Father Judge High School. He worked as a service technician at Verizon Wireless. Dennis currently works at the North Wildwood Recreation Department, where he helps with the after school programs. Dennis is also a volunteer coach of the North Wildwood Sharks basketball team. If he is not working at the rec, you will most likely find Dennis surfing, paddle boarding, riding his bike, or on his waverunner, regardless of the time of year. Dennis has had much experience in working with nonprofits and running events. Each year, he runs the Fallen Hero Plunge which donates money to the FOP in Philadelphia.
Claudia Melchiorre
Claudia is a Wildwood native. She graduated from Wildwood High School in 2015 and continued her education at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education in 2019, Claudia returned home and accepted a job at Wildwood Middle/High School. She is currently in her third year of teaching 6th grade reading and writing and spends most of her time volunteering for the school and The Step Back Foundation. She and her dog, Scott, can be seen at many school/volunteer functions or just taking walks through The Wildwoods and spending time at the beach.
Morning Girl
Upcoming Events (Dates & Links to Register)
2023 Step Back Foundation Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 8th, 2023
9:00AM-12:00PM
Albert I. Allen Memorial Park
2200 Delware Avenue
North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Holiday Season
Toy drive at Keenan's Irish Pub
Step Back at Keenan's Irish Pub!
Miracle on 96th Street/Agave Tequila Bar toy drive for Step Back
Step Back office during the holidays
Thank you, Kramer Beverage, for donating this sign to us!
New Office Location
In April of 2022, we signed our a two-year lease to our first office. You can find us at:
101 E. Cardinal Road, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260.
Stay tuned for updates on office hours, pop ups, & projects that will be held at the office!
Without your support, this wouldn't be possible. As always, we thank you!
2022 Best of Jersey Shore Gold Winner
2022 Best of Jersey Shore Gold Winner
The Step Back Foundation won gold for the Best of South Jersey Shore competition, in the nonprofit section.
Thank you, everyone, who've supported us and made this possible!
Coffee With a Cop & FOP Bookbag Donation
Coffee With a Cop
On August 19th, the Step Back Foundation and the Fallen Hero Plunge sponsored Coffee With a Cop with the North Wildwood Police Department (NWPD).
FOP Bookbag Donation
The FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) donated 100 book bags to the Step Back Foundation during Coffee with a Cop. We can't thank the FOP enough and know these bookbags will get great use.
98.7 Collab
School Supply Donation
Huge thank you to 98.7 the Coast for donating school supplies to the Step Back Foundation.
On-Air
Another huge thank you to 98.7 for having us on-air!
School Supply Donations to CMC Schools
This year, Step Back will be donating school supplies to over 10 different Cape May County Schools. Thank you, everyone, who has donated to us, so we are able to provide as much as possible to our local students.
PFG Golf Outing Donation
Huge thank you to Performance Food Group (PFG) for donating their 50/50 proceeds from their annual golf outing to the Step Back Foundation. We appreciate the support and generosity!
Previous Events
2022 Fall Auction Night
2022 Fall Auction Night at Mudhen Brewing Co.
On Friday, November 11th, 2022, the Step Back Foundation hosted our third annual Fall Auction Night at Mudhen Brewing Co. in Wildwood.
For more pictures and videos of the night, check out our social media pages (@thestepbackfoundation on Instagram and Facebook).
We are so grateful for all of the support, donations, and love we were given once again Thank you, everyone!
2022 Island 3v3 Basketball Tournament
2022 Island 3v3 Basketball Tournament
On July 16th and 17th, the Step Back Foundation hosted our fourth annual 3v3 basketball tournament. Thank you, everyone, who either participated or supported us during this event!
To view more pictures from this event or to find more details on upcoming events/projects, follow us on instagram and Facebook (@thestepbackfoundation)...
2022 "Live Like Bolle" 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk
2022 "Live Like Bolle" 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk
On August 13th, the Step Back Foundation hosted our fourth annual 5k run & 1-mile walk. Thank you, everyone, who either participated or supported us during this event!
To view more pictures from this event or to find more details on upcoming events/projects, follow us on instagram and Facebook (@thestepbackfoundation)...
8th Grade South Jersey Future Stars
I got to speak to the 8th grade South Jersey Future Stars of Cape May & Atlantic County about hard work, mental health, the pressures that come with being an athlete, and the importance of being a good person. Thanks for having me! You matter regardless of your accomplishments...
Atlantic County All Stars
Cape May County All Stars
Cape May County All Stars
Cape May County All Stars
A Trip to Wildwood Catholic Academy
We took a trip to Wildwood Catholic Academy to fill Easter eggs for our second annual Easter egg hunt that was held on April 16th, 2022!
Thank you, WCA, for saving us time and helping us fill eggs!
2022 Step Back Easter Egg Hunt
2022 Step Back Easter Egg Hunt
On April 16th, 2022, the Step Back Foundation hosted our second annual Easter egg hunt. Thank you, everyone, who either participated or supported us during this event!
To view more pictures from this event or to find more details on upcoming events/projects, follow us on instagram and Facebook (@thestepbackfoundation)...
Trip to Margaret Mace School
We also got to visit my old school, Margaret Mace, where we filled eggs for our Easter egg hunt. Thanks, MMS!
MMS Kindergarten
MMS 8th Grade
MMS 8th Grade & the NWPD
MMS Kindergarten
2021-22 Christmas Donations with Actions Over Words
School Donations
This year, we were able to provide over 12 different Cape May County schools with Christmas gifts and other warm clothing/necessities. We also were able to provide over 5 different families with Christmas gifts. This year, we were able to partner up with Actions Over Words, an apparel company that donates $5 each sale to a different charity each month.
Lunch With Lynch Foundation
Huge thank you to Mr. John Lynch & the Lunch With Lynch Foundation for their warm clothing contribution. With these donations, we were able to give more necessities to each school and family in our drop-offs.
Below are some pictures of more of what we have done this holiday season!
Water Bottle Donations to Bellmawr Elementary School First Graders
Interview With Stockton University
This December, we were interviewed by Stockton University's, Aiya Underwood. We discussed all things Step Back, mental health, and goals for the future of our organization.
Thanks for having us!
2021 Peer Leadership Conference
I AM ENOUGH
Presented by Cape Assist, Priscilla Frederick and I (Maddie McCracken) spoke at 2021 Peer Leadership Conference. This conference became available on November 15th and was be presented to hundreds of students in Cape May County. This conference will remain available, so students can look back and refer to it when in need of some extra motivation.
The theme of this year's conference is "I Am Enough." We discussed mental health through topics such as hope, optimism, and service to others. Make sure to tune in and check us out using the link below!
Available Step Back Gear:
T-shirts & more!
Check out or new Shopify online store to purchase Step Back gear! Click the link below:
Collab With Chrissy Marie/CM Collective
Chrissy Casiello, also known as Chrissy Marie, also known as the CM Collective, helped bring our mission statement to life. As simple as it sounds, as a nonprofit, our goal each day is do good and be good. We are so thankful for Chrissy helping us capture this message with these adorable earrings!
Chrissy & I
"Do Good Be Good" Gold Hoops
"Do Good Be Good" Gold Hoops
I am wearing our new "Do Good Be Good" gold hoops
Back-to-School Supplies
Step Back Donations
We're almost back to school...which means the Step Back will be donating book bags and other school supplies to several Cape May County schools. If you'd like to donate any school supplies, send us a message!
JawsYouthPlaybook Donation
Huge thank you to former Eagles player, Ron Jaworski, and his nonprofit organization, JawsYouthPlaybook, on donating boxes of Under Armor socks and other goodies to local students.
We are so excited to deliver these donations, along with other back-to-school supplies to our local schools.
Thanks Jaws!
Fall 2021 Donations
MMS Back-to-School Donations
MMS Under Armor Socks Donations
MTHS Back-to-School Donations
MTMS Field Hockey Equipment Donations
Teachable Tuesday with Olympian Priscilla
Introducing Teachable Tuesday with Olympian Priscilla! If you didn’t already know, we live on the same island as an Olympian (still amazes me). Priscilla Loomis was a 2016 Olympian and is training to go to the Olympics again this summer! Priscilla has inspired me in many ways with not only her athletic abilities but her positivity, light, and kindness. I asked @priscilla_frederick (her Instagram username) to share what keeps her going and to offer any words of motivation. Thank you for being such a good example and inspiration for others.
Stay tuned for more of Priscilla!
Teachable Tuesday
Step Back & Stockton WBB Donations Books to New York Ave School in Atlantic City, NJ
The Step Back Foundation and Stockton WBB's teamed up to donate children's books to a local elementary school, New York Avenue, in Atlantic City, NJ.
Stockton's Kadinah Harris is a New York Ave alumn, so thought it would be cool for her to interact with her old school!
2020-21 5th & 6th North Wildwood Shark's Team
Shark's Team Selfie
Funny team pic!
Shark's team pic in their new sweatshirts!
Shark's sweatshirts were sponsored by the Step Back Foundation.
Step Back Making It's Way to Florida beaches!
Kelly Palmer
John Fetsick
Quick Info
2022-2023 "Live Like Bolle" Scholarship Application
"Live Like Bolle" Scholarship Fund
This year's scholarship winner from Middle Township High School was Morgan Delaney.
This scholarship is in honor of Mr. Bill Bolle, who unfortunately passed away in October of 2017. Mr. Bolle loved and promoted high school athletics. High school sports change the lives of many high school students by improving their work ethic, staying active, building memories, and of course, forming relationships that will last a long time. But most importantly, Mr. Bolle valued his family more than anything.
Scholarship applications for the 2022-23 school year are located below and are due on May 1st, 2023.
2022-23 High School Senior Application
Please either mail your application to:
101 E. Cardinal Road, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
or email your application to thestepbackfoundation@gmail.com with the subject: 2022-23 “Live Like Bolle” Scholarship)
A huge thank you to everyone who applied for our 202-2021 "Live Like Bolle" scholarship. Thanks to generous donations and endless support over the past couple of years! Our winners for the 2022 school year included:
Maggie Farrell (WCA)
Ava Troiano (WHS)
Lisbeth Garcia (WHS)
Morgan Delaney (MTHS)
Reach Out
If you know of a resident of Wildwood who has financial athletic needs (basketball shoes, help to pay off registration fees, cleats, help grocery shopping, could use a winter coat, etc) do not hesitate to reach out. The Step Back Foundation is more than happy to help within means.
Mental Health
Mental Health Matters
Throughout most of my life, I have struggled with my mental health: anxiety, depression, OCD. Even though I am extremely blessed, these illnesses still get the best of me. The Step Back Foundation is willing to talk to anyone who may be experiencing similar things. All you have to do is contact us and we are here to help.
Changing Your Perspective
Mental Health Matters
I had a long and eye opening conversation with my sister on mental health and perspective. Just a little over a year ago I was struggling with the worst anxiety and depression I’ve ever had. I was so sad and nothing made me feel excited or alive. I couldn’t appreciate or realize all the beautiful things life has to offer. I would constantly tell myself I couldn’t be happy until I finished or accomplished something. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize those beautiful things and it’s truly made my life better and more fulfilled. Simple conversations. Forming relationships with people. Doing things that make me happy. These things have improved the quality of my life more than I could have ever imagined. I’m much happier and much more fulfilled than I’ve ever been. Don’t wish your life away and put dates on when you can be happy again. Be where your two feet are and enjoy where you are now! If you need someone to talk to or just an ear to listen, feel free to contact us (at the bottom of the website, through email, or through our social media pages). You’re not alone and you will get through any struggle! #mentalhealthmatters
Let's end the mental health stigma!
Donors
We would love to thank our donors for their generosity and constant support of the Step Back Foundation. We do not know what we would do without you!
A special thanks to our donors below:
Sam's Pizza Palace
Sand Jamm
Wild Ocean
Spill the Wine
Dolce
Guppi
Keenan’s
North Shore
Christie’s Nails
Lobster House
Lunch With Lynch Foundation
Rick’s Seafood
Coastal Prime
Harbor Movie Theater
Shampoo Bar
Douglass Candies
Warehouse Wicker
Joe Canal’s
Rybandz
East Coast Jewels
Chrissy Marie Designs
Pure Juice & Kitchen
Back To Health Family Chiropractic
Wildwood Middle School PTC
Crest Memorial PTC
Rodney Strong
Exit 6
Olympic Flame
Stone Harbor Yoga
Gerry D’Alesio
Dennis Dool
Jane Ginley
Joe & Kelly Franco
Joe Ebert
Denise Nuccio
Little Cafe
Crab House
April Frank
Colleen Ferraro
Richie Ziegler
Sandy Duda
Christina Adams Photography
J. Byrne Insurance
North Wildwood Shirt Shop
Cork & Bottle
The Palmer Family
Want to Get Involved?
(Volunteer, Donate, Partner, Etc.?)
If you'd like to get involved with us in any way, please send us a message below via our "Contact Us" section. The Step Back Foundation is always looking to coordinate with people and organizations!
CONTACT US
Write to us.
Ways To Donate:
Click either link for easy access to a donation box towards the Step Back Foundation.
- Other ways to donate include mailing a check/cash:
Please write out your check to: The Step Back Foundation
Address: 101 E. Cardinal Road, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
- Option to Venmo:
@thestepbackfoundation_
- AmazonSmile option
Support the Step Back Foundation by shopping at AmazonSmile.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/83-4646007
Thank you for donating to this worthy cause! We appreciate the endless support!
Step Back Articles
