FGP Staff

  • Cathleen Pessalano

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Cathleen Pessolano serves as the Executive Director of FGP. In her role, she leads a team of dedicated professionals and community volunteers to alleviate the day-to-day stressors for families navigating pediatric cancer.

    With 25 years in human services, she has developed a deep understanding of trauma's impact on youth and families and the importance of community support. Her passion for making a difference uniquely equips her to mobilize community action.

    Cathleen and her husband, Brian, are long time community residents, who raised their three children in Stafford County. Now as empty-nesters, they enjoy taking their three rescue dogs for long walks along the quarry trails.

  • Gin Schaffer

    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

    Gin Schaffer has over 23 years of experience in higher education administration, leading academic and student programs at institutions like the University of Florida and Boston University.

    Her family moved back to Fredericksburg 10 years ago, where she overcame cancer with community support. They enjoy traveling, while their cat watches the neighborhood.

    For the last 8 years, Gin has coordinated oncology support programs in Fredericksburg and has extensive fundraising experience. She is currently completing her doctorate in Community Engagement at Point Park University.

  • Rebekah Wrye

    PROGRAM COORDINATOR

    Rebekah has served FGP as a lead volunteer, meal maker, and event helper. As a lead volunteer, she walked beside many families as they navigated their children’s treatment plans and even as they faced end of life. She has been a steadfast part of FGP for over a decade.

    Rebekah has also worked as a Preschool Paraeducator in the Spotsylvania County Public Schools Headstart program and as a Medicaid Attendant for a local pediatric cancer family. She actively pursues ongoing learning opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills.

    Rebekah loves reading, crocheting, and spending time with her five children and four cats (mostly the cats).

  • Helen Jarrett

    VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

    Helen has been with FGP since it’s inception and has worn many hats, including meal maker, delivery volunteer, board member, lead volunteer, and meal coordinator. She continues her commitment by volunteering her expertise in her current role as our Volunteer Coordinator.

    She is also a mother of five, and in March 2022, her daughter was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Helen has the unique experience of not only being an FGP volunteer but also being an FGP mom. She has always been dedicated to FGP's mission, but now she knows firsthand how much it means to our families. When she's not busy running kids around, she works as an RN in the cardiac step-down unit at a local hospital.

Our Board of Directors

  • James McCloskey

  • Natalie Root

  • Stephanie Maurer

  • Christina Wiedl

  • E. Carter Fitch

  • Lynelle Kapinos

  • Lisa Henry

  • Heather Newman

Our Founders

Andie Ayers, Co-Founder

Andie holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Education. Prior to entering the nonprofit world, she was a stay-at-home mom to three and an educator with experience at all levels from preschool to college. Andie is a transplant from New York but considers Virginia her home. Through her work with Fairy Godmother Project, Andie has received many honors including Spirit of Women’s Community Hero Award (2012), Laurie A. Wideman Enterprising Woman Award (2015) and was an Allen & Allen Hometown Hero (2017). Andie’s passion for pediatric families has evolved from experiences through her life and continues to grow from the relationships with the families Fairy Godmother Project serves.

Stephanie Maurer, Co-Founder

Stephanie oversees the FGP Photography Program and is a member of the Board of Directors. She spent a decade in therapeutic foster care as a therapist and case manager. Following this, Stephanie transitioned to a second career as the owner and photographer of BabySnap Photography, a portrait photography business. She is currently employed at MarketNoodle, a marketing agency for photographers that she co-founded. Stephanie holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Counseling. A mother of five, she enjoys reading, playing board games, and spending time at the beach with her kids and husband, Edward.

Our History

In 2003, one of our founders, Andie McConnell, moved in down the street from a family whose son was a brain cancer survivor. In getting to know this family, she learned of the family’s struggles and loneliness when faced with pediatric cancer. These conversations stuck with her through the years and became very important in 2009 when the child of an acquaintance was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer. In hopes of easing the financial burden brought on by cancer, she began fundraising and in doing so, a great passion was born. As the fundraising unfolded, the family she was helping became dear friends and one day the mom asked if Andie would be the “fairy godmother” for her children. In that moment, Fairy Godmother Project was born.

The project began by surveying families dealing with pediatric cancer, using their insights to shape our approach. What Andie hadn't anticipated was the profound sense of need and absence many families expressed. They shared how their support networks dwindled, as people struggled with the harsh realities of pediatric cancer. There was a clear need for assistance with daily household tasks and support for their other children.

This feedback led to the creation of the first mission for the Fairy Godmother Project: to ease the burdens of families facing pediatric cancer, even if only for an hour. We now provide cooked meals, professional house cleaning, lawn care, and gas and grocery cards for local families whose children are battling cancer. Since establishing our Financial Relief Fund in 2014, we have been able to help these families by paying bills twice annually. We connect with families through word of mouth and hospital partnerships and hope to expand our services and reach more families on a larger scale in the future.

The second facet of our mission involves offering families professional photography sessions, a gift that has proven profoundly impactful for those facing pediatric cancer. The initiative of giving the gift of photography was driven by co-founder Stephanie Johnson, who not only contributes her own skills but also recruits other photographers to join the cause. Their role is to capture the families' moments, connections, and love, despite the stress and worry of their circumstances.

In 2015, we introduced a program specifically designed to support families during the most challenging times—when they are facing the end of their child’s life. This program offers much needed emotional and financial assistance as families navigate the profound grief of losing a child, including help with funeral arrangements and related expenses. Additionally, we facilitate group support sessions and foster a sense of community among the families, aiming to provide a network of support through their grieving process.