Written by Staff Reports
Friday, 05 August 2011 13:31
On Thursday, August 11, basketball coaches Phil Martelli, Fran Dunphy, Steve Lappas and Chris Ford will join Ocean City Home Bank President and CEO Steven E. Brady to pledge their support for the third annual Walk for the Wounded, an event to help Operation First Response raise funds to provide financial assistance to wounded soldiers and their families.
They will speak at the Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk, at 9 a.m. At the press conference, organizers will announce the fundraising goal for this year’s Walk and introduce members of the military who have received assistance from Operation First Response. The press conference will also include a check presentation by Ocean City Home Bank.
“When you hear the stories of the soldiers whose lives have been impacted forever by war, along with the stories of the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to help our heroes, it’s nearly impossible not to get involved on some level,” says Brady. “Whether area residents are able to send a sponsorship check, bring a few extra dollars to the event, or gather some friends to walk along with our soldiers and Operation First Response volunteers, their support and generosity is desperately needed and definitely appreciated.”
Phil Martelli, head coach of the Saint Joseph’s Hawks men’s basketball team since 1995, is the author of “Don’t Call Me Coach: A Lesson Plan For Life.” Martelli was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, Naismith College Coach of the Year, Associated Press Coach of the Year, and Consensus National Coach of the Year.
Fran Dunphy is currently the head coach of the Temple University men’s basketball team and former head coach of the University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team.
Steve Lappas is the color commentator and studio analyst for CBS College Sports and former head coach of the men’s basketball teams at Manhattan College, Villanova University and University of Massachusetts.
Chris Ford has over 28 years of NBA experience, including 10 years as a player, nine years as a head coach and eight as an assistant coach. A member of the board of directors of Ocean City Home Bank, Ford played for the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics and served as the head coach for the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, the L.A. Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Operation First Response is a national 501-C3 nonprofit organization that assists wounded soldiers and their families in times of crisis. The staff of Operation First Response, nearly all of whom are unpaid volunteers, include representatives who visit the wounded. Operation First Response representatives work with the medical staff at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, often the first stop for wounded soldiers returning from the Middle East.
For Walk for the Wounded sponsorship, advertising and registration information, visit www.ochome.com
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