Ocean City Boardwalk Hosts Charities Whose Events Net Over $8 Million a Year

Wednesday, 07 December 2011

The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Assn. utilize Ocean City for Fund Raising. So does the Multiple Sclerosis Society with its mammoth MS Bike-A-Thon and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation with a Walk that attracts hundreds of participants.

A total of thirty charitable events were held this year on the boardwalk. They included walks, runs and bike rides that brought in over $8 million for worthwhile causes.

Longtime City Public Relations Director, Mark Soifer, remembers how it all began with the Grand Daddy of Ocean City fund raisers, the MS Bike-A-Thon. The event was started by TV Anchor, Larry Kane, whose mother was afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. The year was 1980.

“We had a meeting at the Plymouth Inn to review details,” he recalls. “That first ride, Larry and a hand-full of his friends biked from Cherry Hill to Ocean City and raised a few thousand dollars for the cause.”

 But Kane and the Society persisted and this past September 7,000 participants generated over $5 million to assist MS clients in the Delaware Valley with their medical needs and to further research projects.

City events organizer, Kathy Caraballo, coordinates the scheduling. “Just about every weekend between May and November is booked,” she said. “Once folks see how pleasant our boardwalk is and experience the support that we provide, they keep coming back.”

The American Heart Walk has come to Ocean City since 1998 and raised a total of $3 ½ million during that time. “We love the Boardwalk and the cooperation we receive,” said Debbie VanSant, director of the event..

Among the fundraising events held here are those for the Kidney, Cystic Fibrosis, Lupus, Melanoma, ALS, Down Syndrome, Ruth Newman Shapiro foundations and Walk/ Runs for Lung, Breast and Childhood Cancers. Also on the list are The March of Dimes-March for the Babies, Father Kennedy’s Happy Home Orphanage, The Foster and Adoptive Services Foundation, The Walk For the Wounded and Hero Foundation Walk.  Barks on the Boards and the Turkey Trot support the City’s Award Winning Humane Society.  And there are many more that raise thousands of dollars to help keep worthwhile charities going.

Then there are the individuals like Norman and JoAnne Schaut who produce regional Craft Shows that attract large crowds to the City’s Music Pier on the boardwalk. The Schauts donate all gate receipts to local charities. They have given over $120,000 to the Ocean City Food Cupboard and also support the Atlantic City Rescue Mission.

“We appreciate these organizations and individuals taking advantage of our facilities. It acquaints thousands of new visitors to our resort and is a bonus for Boardwalk merchants,” said Soifer. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

For information call (609) 525-9300. To learn more about Ocean City and its extensive list of special events access www.ocnj.us or www.oceancityvacation.com or call

1-800-BEACHNJ.

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