Marine inspires fundraisers

Walk-a-thon, dinner to benefit sergeant from North Hanover

By: Cara Latham
   NORTH HANOVER — When students at C.B. Lamb Elementary School do a one lap walk from Schoolhouse Road and around the ball fields in the Green Acres park on Oct. 20, it won’t be because it’s part of their routine gym class.
   Rather, they will be walking in support of a 1995 graduate of their school, Sgt. Andrew Robinson, 23, a local U.S. Marine Corps sergeant who was injured in Iraq in June when his Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive devise near Fallujah.
   The event, dubbed the "Support Our Hero" Sgt. Andrew Robinson Walk-A-Thon will begin at 9 a.m. and will raise money to go to a trust fund set up in his name. It is being organized by two of Sgt. Robinson’s former teachers, Nancy Morrow and Sherry Paetzold.
   "We’re doing both the financial and emotional support," said Ms. Morrow, who was Sgt. Robinson’s gym teacher, adding that the children are also going to make cards to send out to him.
   While the school often does projects like the walk-a-thon, "I’d like to get our children involved in understanding what’s happening in the world," and do something to support the troops, she said.
   Students will be given pledge forms that they will take home to their families and friends, although they have been instructed not to go from door to door for safety reasons, said Ms. Morrow.
   And "everybody can participate, whether they can raise funds or not," she said.
   A Marine since 2001, Sgt. Robinson, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., was on his second tour of Iraq when the accident occurred.
   As a result of the blast, doctors rebuilt the bone in his vertebrae using his hip bone and sealed it with titanium. He was later evacuated to Germany, then to a hospital in Bethesda, and then to James A. Haley Veterans’ Memorial Hospital in Tampa, Fla., to undergo physical rehab, he said in an interview in August.
   In August, Sgt. Robinson said he could control his arms and head, but could not control his legs, although he can feel sensations in them.
   Ms. Morrow said his courage and the way he is looking at his future is commendable.
   "He’s such an upbeat kid," she said. "He always was."
   Students will also be making posters they will hang on the fence, and community members who want to participate will be able to walk, she said.
   "We’re looking at this as the whole school family is participating," she said.
   But the walk-a-thon is not the only upcoming event organized to raise money for Sgt. Robinson.
   A buffet dinner dance will be held at the New Egypt Elks Lodge on Nov. 18 from 7 p.m. to midnight, said organizer Marlene Walls.
   Ms. Walls’ daughter, Sarah Walls, 23, went to school with Sgt. Robinson through junior high and into high school. The two bonded during their senior year, when they both were drum majors in Northern Burlington County Regional High School’s marching band.
   The two remained friends and they and their families remained in contact after graduation, said Ms. Walls.
   Within a week of the June incident that left Sgt. Robinson injured, Ms. Walls received a phone call from an Elks member who wanted to help out, and "it just started the whole ball rolling," she said.
   "When this happened in June, we just kind of mobilized," she said. "We want to do whatever we can for Andrew. He’s the best."
   The event will feature a disc jockey, dancing, auctions and door prizes, she said.
   "Everything from beginning to end has been donated," said Ms. Walls. "Every penny that we raise will be for Andrew."
   Colonial Village Catering in Pemberton will be donating the food, and the Cookstown VFW donated decorations, while the Elks donated use of their lodge for the event, she said.
   The auction prizes are also being donated, some of which are very valuable, so Ms. Walls said there will be a separate silent auction, in addition to a chance auction.
   "We hope that people will sell us out that night, but we are still looking for auction prizes," she said.
   Ms. Walls said there is incredible support from the community and that she has even received calls from people around the country wanting to help Sgt. Robinson.
   "There’s just so many people willing to help Andrew that it’s heart warming, and it’s just a blessing," Ms. Walls said.
   Her daughter, Sarah Walls, said that she’s really excited that so many people have sent things to the house for donations for the event.
   "He’s just such a positive person, and he always went out of his way to help other people," said Sarah, adding that now so many people are giving back to him. "He’s a pretty big role model. He’s a person that commands respect because he gives respect, and he’s very strong-willed and determined. If there’s a person that’s going to push through this with flying colors it’s him."
   There will be 250 tickets available for the event, which will probably go on sale Monday, Ms. Walls said.
   Any business interesting in donating an item, or any one interested in buying a ticket is urged to call Ms. Walls at (609) 234-2979.