Greetings from the Jersey Shore. I am taking the #ArcOcean challenge to virtually run, walk or ride the 18 mile coastline of LBI in 21 days from anywhere in the world! My wife Mary Anne and I are taking part in this event in memory of our lifelong friend Bob Hires. This summer, Bob officially took ownership of his father's shore house in LBI and was becoming part of the local community. Bob, like his father before him, had a heart of gold. His death on August 27, 2020 was a shock to all of us. We find comfort knowing that Bob was with loved ones when he suddenly passed away from a heart attack.
The last text exchange I had with Bob was to tell him some good news. We had waited weeks for the results of the numerous biopsies I had on the nodules in my thyroid gland and it was finally official - no cancer. "Great news!" he wrote. He then mentioned that The Arc was in his newsfeed.
I have worked for The Arc of Atlantic County for many years and Bob was excited to see The Arc mentioned. Turns out that the news item was not about my agency in Atlantic County, but the Ocean County chapter. When I found out, I challenged Bob to walk the 18 miles with me along the shores of LBI. Since moving to Mystic Island, we were just minutes from his shore home and we would love to walk with him in support of The Arc of Ocean County.
We will, of course, never get that chance now. But we want to keep Bob's spirit alive and participate in his memory.
Will you support me by making a donation?
Event proceeds will benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ocean County through The Arc, Ocean County Chapter COVID-19 Relief Campaign
