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O.C. hosts walk to aid wounded soldiers
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OCEAN CITY - The city will host a "walk for the wounded" today to help the families of injured soldiers.
Ocean City may be the charity-walk capital of southern New Jersey, hosting more than 40 walks, runs and bike rides on its famed Boardwalk. Today's will raise money for Operation First Response, a nonprofit that pays for transportation, lodging, clothing and household bills for families of soldiers returning from combat.
Operation First Response, based in Culpeper, Va., is headed by Peggy Baker and Carolyn Crossley, a nurse at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where many injured soldiers are treated before returning to the United States.
One of the charity's programs gives wounded soldiers at Landstuhl a backpack containing clothes, hygiene products, a handmade blanket and a phone card.
The charity raised $486,140 for soldiers and their families last year, according to their 2008 tax returns.
The group helped 2,193 soldiers and their families between 2006 and 2007, according to the group's tax returns. It paid for 897 backpacks and 398 airline tickets, and arranged for 96 trips by car.
The walk is sponsored by Ocean City Home Bank, Shore Memorial Hospital, Sandler O'Neill Partners, Lite-Rock 96.9 FM and the McMahon Agency.
Walk spokeswoman Tracey Wiser said the charity's proceeds will go into its general fund, but local soldiers and their families will benefit.
"A few of the injured soldiers helped by Operation First Response will be there to say a few words. They don't have to say many words. The sentiments are still very touching. They'll get you," she said.
City spokesman Mark Soifer said the today's walk is just one of an estimated 40 each year that take advantage of the island's 2.5-mile-long Boardwalk and its ocean views.
"We do have the nicest boardwalk to walk on. The Muscular Dystrophy bike-athon raises $5 million per year," he said.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the walk starts at noon with opening remarks by some of the event founders and charity recipients. U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, is scheduled to participate.
Contact Michael Miller:
609-463-6712
Posted in CAPE MAY on Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:05 am
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