Press Conference Launches Ocean City’s Walk for the Wounded Fundraiser

A press conference was held Friday, Aug. 7 to unveil details for Ocean City's Seventh Annual Walk for the Wounded, Saturday, September 26 on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Ocean City Home Bank and Operation First Response present the Walk for the Wounded, a three-mile walk to draw attention to the plight of returning soldiers and their families, while raising funds to help meet the critical needs of theses families.

Since 2009, the Walk for the Wounded has raised over $400,000 to help these returning soldiers with recover from severe wounds, life changing amputations, and painful surgeries – often followed by mounting bills at home, necessary job retraining, home renovations and more.

During Friday press conference, held in the Ocean City Fire Station on Asbury Avenue, opening remarks were made by Ocean City Home Bank President and CEO Steve Brady, St. Joseph's University Basketball Coach Phil Martelli,  and U.S. Army Specialist Lucas Wick.

Wick suffered injuries while serving in Afghanistan in the 4th Infantry Division, during a tour where he was recognized for his service with a number of honors, including the Army Achievement Medal.

The featured speaker at this year's Walk for the Wounded will be SGT. Matthew Sonderman USMC (retired), a Philadelphia native, did two deployments in Iraq, where he fought in the battle of Fallujah and one deployment in Afghanistan.

While in Afghanistan, Matt was severely wounded when his Humvee was struck by an IED. He spent the next year and a half at Brooks Army Hospital in Texas recovering from his injuries. The majority of Matt's right side of his body has been replaced with metal. He also has a Traumatic Brain Injury and suffers with PTSD.

Through great determination and courage, Matt has made remarkable progress in his recovery and has recently graduated from Drexel University with a degree in Engineering.

Walkers in the Walk for the Wounded can register as individuals. You can also invite family, friends, co-workers or businesses to be on a team with you. People and businesses are welcome to go to the website and sponsor teams and/or individuals.

See more details and register to participate in this year's Walk for the Wounded on the Ocean City Boardwalk.