Annual walk honors 9/11 victims

A 9/11 tribute and fundraiser, which was started by a group of Manalapan residents, is back for its 14th year.

‘Walk with Joe’ was launched in honor of Patrick “Joe” Driscoll, a Manalapan resident among the heroes aboard Flight 93 on 9/11.

The annual memorial 5k also now honors two other Manalapan natives who were victims on that fateful day. Chris Gray was a trader for Cantor Fitzgerald, which was housed in the World Trade Center. Tom McCann made the ultimate sacrifice as a first responder working for the FDNY. McCann was four months from retirement when he headed towards the danger and 9/11.

Chairman Jordan Maskowitz said the event serves as a way to pay tribute to everybody who lost their lives while raising money for area charities and scholarships.

“We always vowed to never forget and that we would not their lives go on unremembered,” he said.

It has also allowed the next generation of children and teens to become more aware about the attack that reshaped our nation and history.

“We want 9/11 to be more than a page in the history book to children,” he said. “We want them to know and to remember.”

The past 13 fundraiser walks have produced some astounding results. More than 10,000 participants have turned out, raising around $325,000.

“This event has grown beyond a local tribute and really has become one of the most significant 9/11 memorial activities in Monmouth County,” Maskowitz explained.

‘Walk with Joe’ routinely draws over 500 participants with the money raised being spread around to local food banks, children’s charities, wounded warrior groups, and scholarship initiatives.

This year’s edition takes place on Saturday, September 12 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan. The rain or shine event kicks-off at 10 a.m.

Maskowitz said the event will be held as long as the community continues to support it.

“We’re never going to forget. As long as we can do it, and as long as we have participants, and as long as we have sponsors, we’ll keep going.”

Find out more about this great New Jersey group and their fundraiser by visiting the 'Walk with Joe' website.