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April 20, 2005

Mayor Cites Importance of Grass-Roots Fundraising Efforts

Woodbridge will mark May as ALS Awareness Month with a special ceremony at Town Hall.

Mayor Frank G. Pelzman will present a Mayoral Proclamation to organizers of the 4th annual Woodbridge Walk to D’Feet ALS at 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, at Council Chambers, Town Hall, 1 Main Street.

The family of Ira Anderson will be among those honored for their efforts in raising funds to combat ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Anderson was a 56-year-old Fords resident who succumbed to ALS in May, 2004.

Following his initial diagnosis, Anderson used his remaining months of public activity to aid the everyday lives of his neighbors by serving as Woodbridge Township Resident Advocate for Consumer Affairs. He also chronicled his battle against the disease in a remarkable series of poems that expressed his love of family and indomitable spirit of hope.

“Ira Anderson was a dedicated individual who exemplified the true definition of public service,” says Mayor Pelzman. “He lived his life helping people in so many ways, and with the Woodbridge Walk to D’Feet ALS, his legacy continues to inspire.”

The Woodbridge Walk to D’Feet ALStakes place Sunday, May 1 at 11:15 a.m. in Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park at Sewaren Peninsula. Registration is at 10 a.m.

Sponsored by Woodbridge Police Benevolent Association #38, the Woodbridge Walk is the leadoff event in the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter’s annual campaign to combat the presently incurable neuro-muscular disease that kills nearly 6,000 Americans a year. Former New York Yankee first baseman Steve Balboni is among celebrities whowill attend the Woodbridge Walk.

Marcia Anderson , Ira’s widow, says assuming responsibility for the lead event in the ALS Walk series was a challenge the family readily embraced. “I'm working towards seeing a breakthrough in my lifetime, so that no other person or family knows the devastation and heartache of this disease.”

The Woodbridge Walk to D’Feet ALS is currently seeking Team Captains to organize teams of walkers, collect donations and spread posters and other publicity materials in their community and workplace. Organizers hope to draw walkers from across Central New Jersey. To participate as Team Captain or walker, email Abby Anderson at walkersofhope@aol.com or call Donna Jago at the Mayor’s Office, 732-602-6039.

“Woodbridge is pleased to host this Walk in what is literally a life-and-death fundraising effort,” says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “Every step we take brings us closer to finding a cure for ALS, and we would love to see everyone in Central New Jersey turn out.”