HERO Campaign Partners With Ocean City for First Day Plunge

The First Day HERO Run and Plunge on the beach and the boardwalk marks the beginning of the John R. Elliot HERO Campaign’s 15th anniversary celebration as the campaign partners with the city to promote the use of designated drivers.

The run and plunge is presented by Shore Orthopaedic University Associates in Somers Point and seeks to raise funds and awareness for the nonprofit HERO Campaign as it promotes the use of safe and sober drivers to prevent drunk driving.

“We are proud of Ocean City’s longstanding relationship with the HERO Campaign,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said. “We welcome its participation as a charitable partner in our annual First Night and First Day festivities, which are all about safe family fun.”

“We have supported the HERO Campaign since its inception and are proud to make this important organization a major focus of our philanthropic community involvement,” John R. McCloskey, MD, senior partner for the regional orthopaedics group, said. “We share their commitment to saving lives and making our community a safer place to live.”

Registration for the Hero Run and Plunge begins at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2015 in front of the Music Pier.

Starting time for the 5K Boardwalk Run is 1 p.m., followed by the HERO Plunge at 2 p.m.

Although the plunge has no entrance fee, participants contributing $20 or more, and signing a designated driver pledge and release form will receive a long-sleeve commemorative HERO Campaign shirt and membership certificate.

Online pre-registration is available at www.herocampaign.org or by calling 609-626-3880.

“We are looking forward to partnering with Ocean City and Shore Orthopaedic University Associates on these iconic First Day events, which promote family fun and responsibility,” said HERO Campaign chairman Bill Elliott.

Bill Elliott and his wife, Muriel, of Egg Harbor Township, founded the HERO Campaign in 2000. Their son, John Elliott, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was struck and killed by a drunken driver on his way home for his mother’s birthday on July 20, 2000.

The driver was previously charged with driving under the influence and released. He got back in the car while he was drunk, killing himself and John Elliott.

John Elliott distinguished himself as a Human Education Resource Officer, or HERO, at the Naval Academy. HEROs are elected by their peers to counsel and mentor other members of their company. He was selected as the outstanding HERO in his graduating class.

The HERO Campaign partners with schools, colleges, law enforcement, highway safety agencies, bars, taverns, professional sports teams and healthcare agencies to end drunk driving by increasing the use of designated drivers nationwide.

Now operating in seven states, the campaign plans to expand nationwide with television and radio commercials, highway billboards, posters, social media and designated driver registration campaigns.

Bill Elliott said the HERO Campaign has been proud of its ongoing association with Ocean City over the past 14 years through First Night, the Night in Venice Boat Parade, Miss Night in Venice Pageant and its annual HERO Walk.

Michele Gillian, chairman of the First Night/First Day Committee echoed Bill Elliott’s comments, saying that the HERO Campaign has been an important partner over the years for its alcohol-free festival and its emphasis on personal responsibility.

First Night gets underway on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 4 p.m. to midnight, culminating in a firework display over the Boardwalk.

The cost is $20 per person, children 2 years and younger are free.

Buttons can be purchased at www.firstnightocnj.com, or by calling 609-399-1412 and are available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily at Stainton’s Square, Eighth Street and Asbury Avenue.

Children will be delighted with events at the football field, Sixth Street off the boardwalk, and the adjacent Sports and Civic Center including pony rides, ice skating, inflatables and much more from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

The attached image is a Patch file photo.