Life can change in an instant. And it does not always change for the better. But when life threw a tough curveball at the Lukens-Martinez family of Ocean City, the community wasn’t just going to take it lying down. Ocean City was going to step up and help one of its own.
And so was born “Teudy’s Road to Recovery,” an evening of fun, food and fellowship to help the seriously injured Teudy Martinez and his family.
Last July, Teudy was swimming when he suffered a traumatic injury which left him a quadriplegic. As if that weren’t tragic enough, the timing of the incident made it even worse. Teudy and his wife Halley would become parents for the second time just two weeks later.
Since then, Teudy, Halley and their two children have met the challenge of life, rehabilitation and raising a young family head on. It has not been easy, nor has it been inexpensive. Teudy has made remarkable, steady progress. However, he requires special equipment, special treatment, and special rehabilitation, all of which costs money.
The Lukens-Martinez family is one of the most charitable and hardworking broods on the island, having organized the annual community Christmas dinner for families and individuals who have nowhere else to go for the holiday, and given time and talents to the Ocean City High School surf team. Mike Lukens, Halley’s dad, is a master woodworking craftsman, who built a custom long board auctioned off last week for the surf team’s benefit.
Now it is time for the city to give back to the Lukens-Martinez family, and the “Road to Recovery” night is a fun way to do so. Green Tech Energy Services, the firm where Teudy worked as an electrician is sponsoring the event. It takes place Saturday March 25th from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Bellmawr Fire Hall, 29 Lewis Avenue, Bellmawr, Camden County
For the standard ticket price of $35 per person, attendees will receive dinner, beer and wine and well drinks. There will also be a silent auction of goods and services, DJ and dancing.
Special VIP tickets for $60 per person include a pre-party, hors d’oeuvres, and round-trip transportation to the event from the O.C. Surf Café
Tickets for the event are available at the OC Surf Café, 7th St. Surf Shop, Peace of Wood, Arlene’s on Asbury, and Yianni’s Café. It is hoped that people who cannot make the event will still consider a donation, which could be left at any of the locations where tickets are sold.
