Crime & Safety

OCHS Grad 'Pays It Forward' With $5,000 Donation to Sandy Relief

Sea Isle City real estate broker Jamie Sofroney raises more than $26,500.

Even as the floodwaters were still receding after Superstorm Sandy, Sea Isle City real estate broker/appraiser Jamie Sofroney (the Landis Company) knew how much help residents of Cape May and Atlantic counties were going to need.

"I saw the devastation here and up and down the coast, and knew I had to do something," he said. "Immediately."

Within nine days, Sofroney had spearheaded a golf and dinner gala fundraiser called “Pay it Forward NJ,” and on Monday he presented a check for $5,000 to the Ocean City Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association, Local No. 27, for distribution to local families that have been affected by Sandy. 

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“There are some serious needs in our area, and while I knew I couldn’t help everyone, I thought I could maybe help some,” Sofroney.

The donation was just part of the $26,500 that Sofroney, an Ocean City High School graduate, raised to help the storm recovery efforts. He said Monday he'll make donations to other towns in Cape May and Atlantic counties.

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The fundraiser was held on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Wildwood Country Club.

"With my resources of friends, business contacts and colleagues, I was fairly certain most would pitch in and help with the fundraiser," Sofroney said. "And they certainly did."

Sofroney had 124 golfers and 250 people for dinner.

“Our auction items were amazing," he said of the more than 90 things people donated.

"Taylor Swift donated a nice package. The NHL, Phillies, Arnold Palmer, Jeff Carter, Ron Jaworski and many other local businesses and friends really helped me out with some wonderful prizes and gift baskets."

“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support for this event.  It really shows the true spirit of our community coming together when tragedy strikes."

 

 To date Sofroney has raised over $26,000.  100% of the all funds raised will go directly to various charities set up specifically for hurricane victims in Cape & Atlantic Counties.


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