By Davy James, Staff Writer
MONROE — Martin Salmanowitz loved to make people happy.
Be it his family, the seniors of Monroe or wounded soldiers returning home, Mr. Salmanowitz, who died May 2, gave of himself to help put a smile on other people’s faces.
Now, those who knew Mr. Salmanowitz want to make sure that one of his last works, a benefit to help soldiers and their families, goes on without him.
”He was a great guy,” said friend Doris Tabor. “He was interested in everybody and doing good for everybody. He was always thinking of his community and charity.”
Mr. Salmanowitz had been planning to help soldiers and their families by holding a benefit show, sponsored by the Greenbriar at Whittingham and American Legion Post 522, to help the Fisher House Foundation.
The Fisher House Foundation builds and donates homes to the federal government so military families can be together during extended treatment for serious wounds or illness in military hospitals and other medical facilities.
Thus far, 38 homes are in operation, with six more scheduled to be completed in 2008 near Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Medical Center and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, according to a press release.
”A great number of our servicemen are injured mentally and physically and while these kids are in the hospitals the Fisher House puts them in close proximity with their family to give them comfort during this traumatic time,” said Township Council President Gerald Tamburro. “Our military needs our moral and physical support during these trying times.”
Mr. Salmanowitz’s family said Fisher House was a cause that immediately drove him to get involved.
”My father saw the Fisher House on TV and said he needed to get involved to help soldiers coming home,” said daughter Robin Nekrasovas. “He found a cause and he was extremely passionate about it because he wanted to make people happy.”
Mr. Salmanowitz’s own national service began shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked and he served until the end of the war.
”He was a patriot and he volunteered right after Pearl Harbor because his life was about helping others,” Mr. Tamburro said. “Helping servicemen was something that was close to his heart.”
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native was raised in Hightstown and lived in Edison for more than 40 years, before moving to Monroe and becoming one of the first residents at Greenbriar at Whittingham. He was the president of the Senior Social Club of Greenbriar.
”So many residents of Greenbriar were saying that my father was a legend and that this was the end of an era,” Ms. Nekrasovas said. “He loved his family and his grandchildren. He was working on getting entertainment for the benefit and it’s going to be a big event.”
The benefit is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 18 in the Marasco Performing Arts Center at Monroe Township High School.
Scheduled performers are singer Hal Jeffrin, comic Lenny Rush, singer Lynn Starr and the comedy team of Andre and Cirell.
General admission is $25 per person and front chair seating is $30.
Checks should be made payable to SSC-Fisher House Fund, with the memo saying Fisher House Contribution.
Greenbriar at Whittingham residents can put their requests for seats in Box 32 of the clubhouse lobby. Non-residents can mail their ticket requests to Doris Tabor, 61-F Winthrop Drive, Monroe Township. Tickets will be mailed.
For more information call Ms. Tabor at 609-655-0622.
”This is an excellent cause and a tribute to him,” Ms. Tabor said. “The show is excellent and almost sold out.”
Any donations should be sent to Senior Social Club/Fisher House, 1 Regent Drive, Monroe Township 08831.
