George Martin to speak at event
NEWTON — Former New York Giants defensive end, author and motivational speaker George Martin will be the featured guest at a fundraising event on behalf of Christ Church Newton’s Helping Hands program for Sussex County senior citizens in need.
Martin is expected to speak about his career as the co-captain of the New York Giants Super Bowl championship team, along with his more recent efforts to raise funds for the medical expenses of the rescue and recovery workers, who aided in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Martin authored a book about his trek across America, "Just Around the Bend: My Journey for 9/11", in homage to those impacted by the tragedy.
The event, Walk with a Giant, will take place at the Lake Mohawk Country Club on Saturday, Nov. 21, beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets for the dinner and presentation are available at www.christchurchnewton.org.
Sporting the number 75 as a member of the New York Giants, Martin prevailed as the star defensive end during the 1970’s and 1980’s, with 96 quarterback sacks, the touchdown record for a defensive lineman, a Super Bowl victory, and numerous other accolades. In later years, Martin, who overcame a childhood mired in poverty, served as the president of the National Football League Players Association, advocating for retired players with chronic injuries and creating a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring young people through athletics. His memorable trek across America raised millions of dollars for medical care for those who responded to the 9/11 tragedy.
Christ Church Newton offers the Helping Hands program to income-eligible senior citizens in Sussex County who need assistance with household projects. Seniors must be referred to the church by the Sussex County Division of Senior Services. Once identified, a group of teens and adults from the parish visit the home and assist with lawn work, rubbish removal, light repairs, painting, landscaping and other maintenance tasks. While a team of church members labor around the home, additional parishioners visit with the senior citizen, offering referrals to parish organizations and local agencies which can offer more long-term assistance. A parish nurse offers follow-up visits and referrals to community resources to those seniors who have received assistance by the Helping Hands program. Funds raised by the Walk with a Giant event will help to defray the costs associated with the assistance program, such as building materials, equipment and other expenses.
“Our Helping Hands program gives us the opportunity to live out our mission of being Christ’s presence in our community,” said the Rev. Robert Griner, rector of Christ Church Newton.
“The funds raised from this event will enable teens and adults in our parish to continue to work together to help our elderly neighbors. George Martin’s faith, vision and ability to inspire is a perfect match for our mission, and we are privileged to host him at this event.”
Tickets for the Walk with a Giant event are $125 per person, or $1,000 for a table of 10. Interested patrons are invited to purchase tickets by visiting www.christchurchnewton.org, or by calling the church office at 973-383-2245. Those who are interested in accessing the services provided by the Helping Hands program at Christ Church are encouraged to contact the Sussex County Division of Senior Services at 973-579-0555 or seniorservices@sussex.nj.us. Information about Christ Church Newton can be found at www.christchurchnewton.org.