WGHT Hometown Hero Award Nomination Letter

I take this opportunity to nominate the Pequannock-based national organization, Family and Friends for Freedom Fund, Inc., for WGHT’s Hometown Heroes Award. In less than 18 months, the organization has raised more than $100,000 and donated $70,000 to 15 Marines and their families.

Established in early 2005 following the severe injuries suffered by her brother-in-law Marine Staff Sgt. Jim Sturla, Paula Sturla, president of the not-for-profit organization, reports that numerous fundraisers have enabled the organization to offer valuable assistance for the real life everyday needs of injured military personnel and their families throughout the nation.

Staff Sgt. Sturla suffered his injuries only several weeks after being stationed in Iraq in September 2004. Kathy Sturla, Jim’s mother, was suddenly thrust into the grim reality of facing her son’s initial hospitalization in Germany, followed by more than six weeks Jim spent in the National Naval Clinic in Bethesda, Maryland, and the more than 30 surgeries he underwent. Jim’s life and that of his wife and two young children were dramatically changed.

As the Sturlas worked together to get through these life-altering circumstances, they became aware of many other families of injured Marines who were undergoing similar adjustments in their lives. As they stood by Jim during the recovery process, they decided to proactively enact change. The Sturlas consequently established a not-for-profit organization that they believed could truly make a difference to the Marines and their families who shared their circumstances.

Since January 2005, The Family and Friends for Freedom Fund, Inc. has vigorously and successfully raised funds to provide financial support to injured Marines while they continue their long road to recovery, and also to continue to support the “Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund.” The Family and Friends for Freedom Fund, Inc. was founded exclusively to provide financial aid to injured Marines and their families, as well as to those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder cases from war, and all branches of the US military as the need arises.

The Family and Friends for Freedom Fund, Inc., has held fundraising activities ranging from motorcycle runs, to craft shows, from beefsteak dinners to pancake breakfasts. It is currently planning its first annual golf outing taking place in September at Black Bear Golf Course in Sussex County. The organization is dedicated to helping Injured marines and their families with practical assistance such as money for the purchase of plane tickets for family members to visit recuperating Marines, money for gas when travel by car is convenient, and also money to accomplish necessary conversions to make a house wheelchair accessible, just to name a few.

Thanks to the internet, the organization has informed people everywhere about its mission and accomplishments through its website, _www.injuredmarinesfund.org_. A band of dedicated volunteers has also helped to make the dream of helping families who have experienced unthinkable changes in their lives a reality. The Family and Friends for Freedom Fund, Inc. has helped to replace despair and isolation among

Marine families throughout the US with a reality of hope and optimism to face the future with renewed strength and determination.

In recognition of their selfless dedication to helping injured Marines and their families as they deal with traumatic physical, emotional, and psychological changes, I believe that the Family and Friends for Freedom Fund, Inc. rightfully deserves to receive the citation of “Hometown Hero” by WGHT-AM Radio.

Kathryn Salamone
10 Ricker Road
Kinnelon, New Jersey
07405-2317