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Community The Volunteer It seemed like just another summer day at the beach on the New Jersey shore. The air was growing thick and heavy as temperatures broke the 100-degree mark. Thousands enjoyed the day from beneath a sea of multi-colored umbrellas, but for a group of 16 kids the day was about to become a lot cooler. Under a massive white tent, shiny new surfboards, boogie boards and kayaks were calling their names. It was all courtesy of the non-profit group, Best Day New Jersey, started by AST3 Lake Downham to share his love of the beach with special needs children. As the children and their parents arrived, they were greeted by a host of volunteers and everyone was excited to get the first day of the weekend beach camp started. “I wouldn’t plan to spend my weekend another way,” said AMT3 Brian Tricarico, a flight mechanic at Air Station Atlantic City. The day kicked off with some stretching and a beach obstacle course to get warmed up before they got dressed in wet suits, life jackets and helmets and headed for the water. For most of them this was going to be their first experience on a surfboard. “They’re afraid at first but by the end of the day they’re going nuts and they don’t want to come back in,” said Downham. Later on, the kids were led down the beach for a special surprise. The muffled sounds of helicopter blades quickly turned to a roar as a bright orange helicopter appeared from the south, just off shore. A wave of excitement fell over the beach and thousands of beach-goers howled with delight as a rescue swimmer is lowered into the surf. Downham said it was the best search and rescue demonstration he’d ever seen. “They were right on the beach and one of the swimmers swam up to the beach and all of the kids got to meet him,” he said. Once the demonstration was over and the helicopter flew out to sea, calm returns to the beach. Everyone thought the show was over, but the helicopter flew back toward the beach traveling at full speed and zoomed overhead breaking into a turn. Everyone went wild all over again. The group finally heads back to continue surfing and body boarding. The expression on the faces of kids, parents and volunteers are all someone needs to see to know how fun the day has been. “He loves the water and loves the helicopter. We’re going to have a hard time getting him out of here,” said Frank Taliertio, the father of 16-year-old Nick Taliertio. “I like surfing. I like helicopter,” said Nick. “Communities rally around a wonderful cause,” said Max Montgomery who flew from California with other volunteers to assist Downham during the opening weekend. “It gives parents a chance to relax and know their kids are safe and are able to watch them and see the joy in their faces,” he said. Nora Plummer, a parent at Best Day agreed. “This is just wonderful. So many people giving their time and to a parent it’s really heart warming,” she said. Her 16-year-old son Paul was having so much fun he didn’t want to get out of the water. “Although, I heard they are serving pizza, which will get him out,” she said. water ride Best Day New Jersey volunteers help a special needs child catch a wave July 19 in Monmouth, N.J. AST3 Lake Downham started a non-profit group to share his love of the beach with special needs children. Story and photo by PA2 Christopher McLaughlin, PADET Atlantic City Surf‘s Up 14 Coast Guard — Issue 4 15 uscg.mil/mag Best Day Foundation is a non-profit organization that empowers communities to create safe, fun-filled beach days for kids with special needs, enabling them to experience the thrill of riding a wave, regardless of their challenges. If you would like to learn more about Best Day New Jersey visit their website at bestdayfoundation.org.
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