Tim O’Connell
A Quincy, MA, and Falmouth resident, Tim is the founder, visionary, and president of Tommy’s Place Foundation, Inc. Tim founded and established the 501 (c) 3 Tommy's Place non-profit in 2018 in order to bring his decades-old dream of opening a magical vacation home for kids fighting cancer to reality. Tim is a passionate advocate for kids going through the horror of a pediatric cancer diagnosis and has made it his life mission to give these kids and their families a safe and private respite to relax, make memories and most importantly have fun during the most challenging time in their lives.
In addition to being a lifelong entrepreneur, he is also a real estate investor and developer who has been buying, selling, building, and rehabilitating single and multi-family properties in the Boston and Martha's Vineyard markets since 1996. Tim has extensive experience with building new homes, rehabilitating 100+ year old buildings as well as building and restoring homes within historic districts.
Jennifer Caruso
Jennifer is our Tommy's Place Family Coordinator and works directly with the families prior to their stay at Tommy's Place. "Jen" is a tireless advocate for kids fighting cancer and has dedicated countless hours volunteering for a variety of organizations; beginning in elementary school as a girl scout and continuing into the present day as co-founder of her own non-profit - A True Difference Maker.
Throughout her college years at Northeastern University and with her busy schedule as a graduate student in the Physician Assistant program at Temple University, Jennifer continued to find time to give to others, specifically supporting pediatric cancer warriors and their families. Jennifer is now a graduated and certified Physician Assistant and is currently employed in the oncology unit at New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia.
The foundation for Jen's giving spirit truly began when her cousin Matthew was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a cancer that claimed his life in 2013 at the age of 19. In his memory, Jen began the Swirls Around the World Foundation to honor Matt (whose nickname was Swirls) and to continue his life. What began as a small gesture of people taking Swirls Strong bracelets on their travels to spread Matt’s story and raise awareness for Ewing Sarcoma, has evolved into a nonprofit foundation raising funds for scholarships and delivering special Swirls packages each month to pediatric and young adult cancer warriors as well as finding ways to remember and honor those warriors who are no longer with us.
What sets Jennifer apart is that she always takes the initiative and her insatiable desire to help others. She is always the first to reach out to a family battling cancer or undergoing a difficult time. Behind the scenes, she is quietly and constantly looking for ways to help families in need.
Some highlights of Jen's giving:
- An honoree of Mass General Hospital for their “100 Everyday Amazing” recognizing individuals, organizations, and foundations work towards a cure and care for cancer patients.
- A member and regional manager of the Love Your Melon campus crew program to engage and network college students and unite these students in the fight against pediatric cancer.
- Established a Children's Miracle Hospital Dance Marathon chapter at Northeastern University where she was ultimately awarded with the 2019 Miracle Network Distinguished Leadership award. A distinction awarded to only 22 college students across the country.
- The Frozen Lemonade Cup benefiting Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Board of Directors
- New England Patriots Difference Maker Award Recipient
Esther Ann Price
Esther Ann helps to manage the back-office operations at Tommy's Place. She graduated from Babson College in 1983. After graduation, she spent the next 14 years in the automotive industry in sales, leasing, finance, management and ultimately as a controller. She continued to work as a controller until becoming disabled in 2013. Since then she has been able to focus on her passion for volunteering including for the military, community and "Tommy's Place." Volunteering, and community have always been a big part of her life. Whether it was being a Candy Striper at a Nursing Home, working with SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council), serving on Student Council during High School, or later volunteering for the Lupus Foundation. In the last 15 years she has been an adult leader for Sea Scouts, volunteered for several different organizations that focused on our military, including Soldier's Angels, the Home Front Cares, and the Falmouth Military Support Group. Esther Ann also volunteered at the Falmouth Service Center preparing monthly community dinners, Meals on Wheels, Food Disbursement at the Joint Air Base, Thanksgiving Community Dinner and sandwiches, and Christmas Toy distribution.
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