Hoagies For Heroes Nets $1,000 For Brick Police Charity

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township Police Department showed off its hoagie-building skills, winning the Hoagies for Heroes contest as Wawa celebrated the grand opening of its store on Lanes Mill Road.

The contest pitted Brick police, joined by Mayor Lisa Crate, against a team from the Herbertsville Volunteer Fire Company. The goal was to build as many hoagies as possible in 3 minutes.

The victory earned the police department $1,000 for its charity, Helping Hands, which supports families facing financial hardship due to a serious illness. The funds will boost the amount that will be donated to two families after the Helping Hands basketball game, which is set for 6:30 p.m. April 27 at Lake Riviera Middle School.

"Hoagies for Heroes is one of Wawa’s ways of showing their support and appreciation to the men and women who serve as everyday heroes; local firefighters, police officers and emergency responders," the company said in a news release.

The grand opening was attended by Council President Heather deJong, and council members Vince Minichino, Perry Albanese and Melissa Travers and included appearances by Wally the Goose, Wawa's mascot, and Buster, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws mascot.

The store, which has 60 employees, has 12 fuel pumps and replaced the "legacy" store that previously stood at the site. The legacy store opened in 1982, based on news reports from the time and an advertisement that was framed for display at the new store.

"Thank you to Wawa for your generous donation to our Helping Hands Charity Event," Brick Township Police said in a post on the department's Facebook page. "We appreciate your continued support in our community. Best of luck reopening your Lanes Mill Rd. location!"