HERO Walk Triumphs in Eighth Year at Ocean City Boardwalk
(Bill Elliott, President and CEO of the HERO Campaign For Designated Drivers, pictured center, leads Sunday’s 8th Annual HERO Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk.)
OCEAN CITY, N.J. (October 22, 2018) – Ending drunk driving takes a community of dedicated individuals, and hundreds of local residents came out Sunday to do just that by supporting the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign’s 8th Annual HERO Walk & 5K Run. Hosted at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, attendees at the growing annual event participated in a variety of fun activities while registering to be safe and sober designated drivers by taking the campaign’s HERO Pledge. Proceeds from the event support the campaign’s mission to promote the use of safe and sober designated drivers. Sponsors include Viking Yachts, Ironworkers Local 399, ANA Towing, AtlantiCare, Ocean First Bank and the Foster Karney Foundation.
The HERO Campaign is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers to prevent drunk driving tragedies in memory of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in July 2000. While participants had the choice of either running or walking, all marched in memory of those lost to drunk driving tragedies.
“What began eight years ago as a simple idea of bringing our supporters together for a day of family-fun activities and HERO Pledge enrollment, has transformed into a triumphant celebration of advocacy for safe and sober designated driving beyond our region,” Bill Elliott, HERO Campaign Founder and Co-Chairman, said. “Our supporters are an inspiration to us at the Campaign and to our community as a whole. It takes all of us to make a real difference, and our HERO Walk attendees prove that every year.”
Members of the Ocean City Police PBA Local 61 were on hand to donate $1,000 to the HERO Campaign.
Also attending the event were Marlton residents Richard and Lorraine Sweeney, who served as grand marshals for the race. Richard Sweeney, who was struck by a drunk driver in 1999, joined the HERO Campaign to help end drunk driving and prevent near-fatal accidents like his.
“I’m happy to be part of the HERO Campaign,” Sweeney said. “If this was around in 1999, I know my accident would have been prevented. There is a lot more awareness of safe and designated driving thanks to the HERO Campaign.”
Runners kicked things off at 9:30 a.m., followed with the walkers’ march at 11 a.m. Both took off from the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, located at 6th Street and the Boardwalk.
Please visit HEROwalkrun.org for more information.
(HERO supporters gather on the Ocean City Boardwalk for the 8th annual HERO Walk & 5K Run.)
(Bill Elliott poses with members of the Ocean City Police PBA Local 61 after receiving a $1,000 donation to the HERO Campaign. From left to right are: Bill Elliott, Lt. Brian Trotle, Ptl. Matt Schaffer, Ptl. Doug Swillo, Karol Ruf and Ptl. Jen Elias.)
(Many runners celebrated by dressing up in various costumes.)
(Mainland Regional School students get ready for the run.)
(Bill Elliott thanks runners for participating the second annual 5K run.)
(Runners take off down the Ocean City Boardwalk.)
(Charles and Augusta Garrett of the South Jersey Transportation Authority pose for a HERO Selfie.)
(Students took turns signing their names to the HERO Walk banner.)
(Egg Harbor Township High School cheerleaders show their cheer.)
(From left to right: Adam Johnston; Shelby Gribbin, 2018 HERO of the Year; and Shelby’s parents, Tom and Gina Gribbin, all of Brigantine.)
(Team Daniel DuRoss, all of Egg Harbor Township.)
(Team Ricci’s Riders.)
(5K run winners Kavan Houck, 15, of Galloway; and Carrie Merritt, of Ocean City.)
(HERO Campaign supporters take off for the 8th Annual HERO Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk.)
