Hurricane Sandy First Responders Honored by Next Level Training and Giants’ Punter Steve Weatherford

By Alexandra Gakos, Next Level Training

Lively chatter filled the inside of a Long Beach Island restaurant as a pleasant aroma of Italian food wafted through the air. Waiters carefully doled out servings of eggplant, meatballs, chicken parmesan, and penne alla vodka, along with friendly smiles.  Sixty men and women were seated at tables, laughing and enjoying each others’ company, while an NFL player, sporting his jersey, greeted those present.

The scene yesterday was quite different than it had been one year and twenty-two days ago, when Hurricane Sandy tore through New Jersey. While the hurricane was decimating the Jersey shore and surrounding areas, these same men and women – the storm’s emergency responders – were in action, braving the strong winds and flooding waters to ensure others’ safety.

“Their courage should never be forgotten, nor should it be taken for granted,” said Donald Shauger, owner of Next Level Training, which sponsored yesterday's luncheon in honor of the responders. “We wanted to organize something as a small token of our thanks to the first responders.  These men and women gave so much to this area during a time of need, and they deserve recognition for that.” 

Experiencing a brief interruption to their tradition of serving others, the members of various local emergency response teams present at yesterday's luncheon instead were expected to take a turn being served.  Eagerly stepping up to the plate to wait on them was New York Giants punter and dedicated philanthropist Steve Weatherford.  

"I really look up to you guys because it's not easy doing what you do," said Weatherford. "You engage people when they're at their worst. It's an honor for me to spend my day with you."

Next Level Training, Weatherford’s off-season training facility located in Cedar Knolls, sponsored the luncheon in full.  A raffle was also held, at no cost to the responders, for New Jersey Devils tickets, New York Giants tickets, Jersey Boys tickets, and restaurant gift cards, all of which were donated by Next Level. Weatherford gave an autographed football and signed pair of cleats to two more lucky winners.

“Next Level Training couldn't be happier to be involved with this event,” said PJ Scriffignano, co-owner of Next Level Training. “We want to show our thanks and support for all the first responders who go out of their way to make the community and this state a safe and better place to live everyday.  Their selfless acts on a daily basis are an inspiration to all.”

The luncheon was held at Pinziminio Trattoria, a restaurant located in Brighton Beach. During and after Sandy, Pinziminio staff members saw first-hand the dedication that the emergency responders showed to the area and to the people who lived there.  Shawn Forrest, Pinziminio’s owner, had nothing but praise for the incredible efforts of the emergency response teams.

For Forrest, participating in the luncheon was about giving something back, even if it was on a much smaller scale.

“I feel like I’m in a dream,” said Forrest. “I’m excited and overwhelmed to be given the opportunity to give back to them. It was an extraordinary thing that they did. I just want to thank them for everything they do day in and day out.” 

Agencies represented at yesterday's event included the National Guard, Community Emergency Response Team, R&D Builders, Ocean County Sherriff's Department, and Long Beach Island Health Department, as well as the police departments, first aid squads, fire departments, and emergency management teams for Beach Haven, Stafford, Barnegat Light, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Long Beach Township, Harvey Cedars, and High Point.

"On behalf of all of the community, we're fortunate to have Next Level's and Steve Weatherford's support," said Long Beach Township Chief of Police Michael Bradley. "We've gotten a lot of recognition. This was personally touching."

Weatherford, co-organizer of the event, saw the luncheon as both an appropriate, and a meaningful, setting in which to publicly announce Project Prom, a sincere and thoughtful program that will commence this coming spring to benefit students affected by Hurricane Sandy.  The project is designed to provide a special moment for students whose lives were changed by Sandy’s devastation, as well as to alleviate the steep financial costs associated with prom night.  

Weatherford summed up the motivation behind the project: "A lot of kids in this area wouldn't get to enjoy prom because of financial constraints with the storm. This is going to be an opportunity for them to attend prom – and attend it in style."

This spring’s initiative, essentially an essay-writing contest, encourages seniors from Southern Regional High School to write a composition about their personal experience with Hurricane Sandy.  Specifically, students will reflect upon the lessons in adversity they have learned and will take a positive perspective in depicting what they have drawn from this life-altering event.  All students who participate will be recognized through the publishing of their essay.

Joe Medica, an Assistant Principal at Southern Regional High School, addressed yesterday's attendees from the perspective of the children and young adults who suffered physically, mentally, and emotionally because of Sandy.  

"A lot of kids lost everything," said Medica. Medica expressed his gratitude for the meaning behind Project Prom: "It gives them the experience they deserve at Southern." 

Weatherford will be a member of the panel that reviews the submissions and chooses the five winning essays.  Winners and their dates will then experience prom in an unforgettable fashion:  with all expenses, from makeup to dresses to tuxes to limos, covered in their entirety.  Their memorable prom night will be complete with photo shoots with various Giants players, including Weatherford.

A true ambassador, Weatherford proved yet again today why he is recognized nationally and in the tri-state area for his endless outreach efforts, remarking, "When you work hard for something and attain it, there's a certain degree of responsibility that comes with that."

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