Cape Classics Motorcycle Club wrapped up another year of community involvement last week when they presented the United Way of Cape May County with a check for $6,600 raised during the Roar to the Shore Rubber Ducky Ride and bike raffle in September.

“We are so grateful to Cape Classics for their ongoing and very generous support of our work in the community,” United Way Executive Director, Suzanne Nardi said.

Cape Classics President Roland Roy said that giving back to the community is an important part of the organization’s focus. In addition to the annual bike raffle and Rubber Ducky Ride, Cape Classics members collected and delivered dozens of toys to local children through toy runs, helped a local family after a fire, and just last week donated a radio to Cape May County Fire and Police. Roy said the organization is grateful to local law enforcement and the community for their support during various motorcycle events.

Cape Classic Board Members: (From back/left) Paul Babore, Mark D'Amico, President Roland Roy, Kelly O'Brien-Baker and Joe Murray of One Off Marketing present the United Way of Cape May County with a check for $6,600, raised during September's Rubber Ducky Ride.

“The police and fire departments help us out all the time with traffic control,” and they often have limited resources, he said. “We try to help people in the community and give back because honestly the community does put up with a lot (with us).”

The event is billed as “the hottest, largest, most exciting motorcycle rally in the Northeast”, and the rumble of thousands of motorcycles every fall can be a mild disturbance to some residents, but last year the annual Roar to The Shore event brought 80,000 bikers to town in September– a boon for local businesses during the shoulder season.

“It’s more positive than negative,” said Event Organizer, Joe Murray, of One Off Marketing, and organizers are very mindful of doing what’s right for the community.

This year, Murray expects the event to continue to grow. They’ll be using exhibit space inside the Convention Center for the first time and spreading out further into the parking areas. And teh Rubber Ducky Boardwalk Ride in support of the United Way is always a great way to wrap up a weekend of fun.

Organizers hope to make the event bigger and better every year, and they plan to continue to give back. “A lot of the experience is about giving back,” Roy said. “We try to support as many organizations as possible.”

For more information about Cape Classics Motorcycle Group visit capeclassicsmc.com.

Thanks to McDonald’s, giving back to the community just got easier for members of the United Way of Cape May County’s Caring Club. McDonald’s of Cape May County has joined the growing list of Caring Club businesses and is offering club members a ten percent discount on any purchases they make at local McDonald’s restaurants.

Joining the Caring Club now makes more sense than ever. Caring Club members enroll in an easy workplace payroll deduction program contributing two dollars a week to help the United Way of Cape May County as it strives to improve the lives of local residents through it’s partner agencies. In return, members get discounts on health and beauty services, food, entertainment and household goods from local businesses. During these difficult economic times, it’s a way to help others without putting a crimp in the family budget.

For more information on how to become a Caring Club member or how your business can participate, call 609-729-2002 or visit uwcmc.com.

Professional Property Services in Cape May is teaming up with the United Way of Cape May County to help others this holiday season. The employees of the full-service property management agency have organized a personal care items drive, and throughout December they will be collecting Items like soaps, detergents, diapers, warm socks and other personal care items.

“During tough economic times and especially during the holidays, these items are especially difficult for struggling families to afford,” United Way Executive Director Suzanne Nardi said. “The drive will help to ease that burden.”

Professional Property Services Office Administrator, Heather Saul said that many of the agency’s clients have already contributed to the effort.

“We really have a great customer base,” she said. “They’ve really come on strong.”

Donations can still be dropped off at their office at 510 Bank Street, Suite 150, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. For more information, call 609-770-8357 or visit professionalpropertyservice.com.

Wildwood Cape Bank Branch Manager, Kelli Spawton and Teller, Carol Thompson, are plotting to win the 2009 Ducky Cup.

Wildwood Cape Bank Branch Manager, Kelli Spawton and Teller, Carol Thompson, are hatching a plan. Last year, the branch sold hundreds of rubber duckies as part of United Way’s iconic Rubber Ducky Regatta, but it wasn’t enough.

They didn’t bring home the coveted Ducky Cup–an annual honor bestowed upon the bank that sells the most duckies every year.

Last summer, Crest Savings Bank was neck in neck with 2007 winner PNC for the honor, and in the end, Crest Savings Marketing Officer, Christine Mattera brought the ducky home to the bank, where it was displayed all year. Cape Bank came in at a respectable third place, missing the honor by just a few hundred duckies.

But not this year, Spawton has vowed. This year Cape Bank is in it to win.

Both Spawton and Thompson, recently held a “top-secret” duck-selling strategy session in Spawton’s office, and they put in a request to United Way Executive Director, Suzanne Nardi, for another delivery of ducks.

“I am all about winning the trophy,” Thompson said. “I’ll tell you that right now.”
Thompson said Cape Bank customers are really getting behind the bank’s efforts, as well. One customer, a local businessperson, has pledged to buy one Quack Pack (of five ducks) a week, and she is also sending all of her customers down to support the bank, too.

“I had three customers say Crest is not winning it. We are going to win it this year,” Thompson said.

The Rubber Ducky Regatta takes place on Sunday, Aug. 9 at Mariner’s Landing Raging Waters Park, on Schellenger Avenue. On that day, thousands of ducks will enter the Lazy River and race for the finish to win valuable prizes for the lucky winner’s who sponsored the ducks, who make it there first.

The money raised by the Regatta helps fund United Way efforts to improve the lives of Cape May County residents in many ways. The community-minded local businesses and banks that support the Rubber Ducky Regatta know this. But for some, like Spawton and Thompson, and their colleagues and customers at Cape Bank, winning the Ducky Cup is also a matter of personal pride.
“We’re taking it this year,” Thompson said. “You better believe it.”
For more information, call 729-2002 or visit uwcmc.org.

When Eric Sanderson received two monetary awards at Upper Township Middle School on June 9 totally $150 he knew just what he wanted to do.

“There was no hesitation on what he wanted to do with the money,” his proud mother, Anne Sanderson said.

He wanted to donate the award money to help someone less fortunate. So he turned to the United Way of Cape May County, and Executive Director, Suzanne Nardi was thrilled to help.

“Another young man might have run out and spent the money on video games without looking back,” Nardi said, “But Eric wanted to do something good for someone else.”

Nardi knew of a local family, who had just undergone a personal tragedy and could use some help. She suggested that Sanderson’s award money could be used to help send one of the children in the family to summer camp. Sanderson agreed.

“The award money will not change my life but (it) can have an positive effect on someone else’s life,” he said.

Not surprisingly, one of the awards Sanderson received was in recognition of his positive attitude, kindness and respect of others.

“He really wanted to pay it forward,” his mom said.

He will be entering Ocean City High School in the fall.

For more information about the United Way of Cape May County, call 729-2002 or visit uwcmc.org

Lisa Fletcher and Rita McMullen, of CB Otton, Stone Harbor; Pat King, of Century 21 Gilmartin, of Cape May; Alex Iannone, Freda Real Estate, Sea Isle; Joan Weinhofer, of CB Otton, Stone Harbor; and Community Service Chairperson, Jeanette DiNardo, of CB Otton, Cape May Court House

Members of the Cape May County Association of Realtors practiced “living united” on Thursday, July 2 by volunteering at the United Way of Cape May County’s First Call for Help Food Pantry, Maple Ave., Wildwood. The group restocked pantry shelves and provided clients with a delicious bag lunch that included: a Turkey Hoagie, chips, hostess cakes, juice, cheese crackers and slim jims. The Realtors are hoping to return in the fall to serve a hot lunch to clients.

For more information on how your group or business can give back to the community through the United Way, call 609-729-2002 or visit uwcmc.org/volunteer

These local school girls from Middle Township Elementary #2 know what it means to Live United.

They recently collected 274 items for the First Call for Help food pantry. When they delivered the food they also learned about the needs in the community, helped put groceries in the cupboard and prepared bags of food for that week.

The notion of ‘Live United’ can best be summed up in their own words:

My Friends and I were sitting around thinking about all the kids who didn’t have food. Then we all got the same idea. We started a food drive called Kids Against Starvation. This fundraiser helped us realize that some kids aren’t as lucky as we are.
Sincerely-
Madison, Kelly and Khushlr

Great job, girls!

The staff at Study Savings Bank is “Living United.” This winter they volunteered at the United Way’s hot lunch program and served a delicious and hot meal to an appreciative group of United Way clients. After experiencing the needs in the community first hand, Tara Shipley was inspired her to do even more to make a difference through the United Way of Cape May County. She organized a clothing drive, where bank employees donated new and gently used t-shirts for those in the community who need them.

Tara Shipley with Sturdy President/CEO Gerald Reeves and UWCMC Director Suzanne Nardi (on right)

Star of the Sea School held a t-shirt and underwear drive for those less fortunate in our community. The United Way of Cape May County helped celebrate their hard work and generosity with a party for the with the most donations. The second grade won the friendly competition and Captain Quackers provided the pizza and the fun at the victory party.

Employees from Sturdy Savings Bank ran the kitchen to help provide a hot lunch for those in need at the UWCMC Hot Lunch Kitchen.
View the Pictures…