Hometown Heroes Gala – Hometown View

Hometown Heroes defines itself as an organization whose main purpose is to foster an environment of goodwill, generosity and encouragement by supporting local communities when unexpected needs arise during a crisis.

Through professional assistance, financial support and advocacy Hometown Heroes gives back and it’s a true grassroots organization that was founded by Michael Schwartz in 2008. He still serves as President of the all-volunteer Board of Directors. While they have served the Ocean/Monmouth area the goal of Hometown Heroes is to expand their reach throughout New Jersey.

They will hold their 2nd Annual Awards Gala on Thursday, March 22nd at The Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant and I will be back as the host and emcee for the evening which will feature former Giants punter and two-time Super Bowl champ Sean Landeta. The honorees this year are Del Flanagan of Seaside Rotary, Helen McGovern from the Township of Tom River, Toms River High School South Athletic Trainer Debbie Morante, Rene Nadeau of the Trinity Church of Toms River and the Brielle Lemonade Kids for Autism….Sara Aloupis, Julia Clayton, Jack McCrink and Mike McGovern.

Tickets for the four-course dinner, which serves as a fundraiser for Hometown Heroes are $50 and of course you’ll get to rub elbows with Landetta, who will be on hand for pictures, sign autographs and even let people hold and try on his Super Bowl rings. A two-time Pro Bowl punter, he played with 7 teams over 22 NFL seasons and before that punted in the USFL.

The evening will also feature a gift auction of sports and celebrity memorabilia and Bob Salomon will be on hand to promote his award-winning children’s book, “A Glove of Their Own.” For ticket information you can call (732) 473-9400 or visit njhometownheroes.org.

As the saying goes “all good things must come to an end” and the end came last night for the Jackson Memorial girl’s basketball team as they ran out of gas in the second half and lost to Gill St. Bernard 58-51 in the quarterfinals of the Tournament of Champions at the Pine Belt Arena. However the Jaguars had a great end of season run which produced a Group 4 championship and memories to last a lifetime. Manasquan rolled past Cedar Creek last night to set up a third meeting with St. Rose Thursday in the TOC semifinals in Toms River.