MOONACHIE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A local police chief kicked off his 30-hour personal mission Thursday to help Sandy victims.
Fairview Police Chief Frank Del Vecchio is running 106 miles from the town of Moonachie, through Hoboken, down to Edison, and then along the Jersey Shore to Seaside Heights in what he calls a “Run For Hope.”
“It’s 30 hours straight through,” Del Vecchio said. “It’s only fitting that we’re going to be running through some thunderstorm but all the people who suffered from Hurricane Sandy they endured a lot more than we’re going to endure on this 30-mile run.”
DelVecchio made it across the Bayonne Bridge and into Staten Island despite the strong storms pounding the region Thursday afternoon. Del Vecchio said his sneakers being soaked through won’t slow him down.
“We’re running through the thunderstorms and these rains, but it’s nothing compared to what the victims of Sandy actually endured,” he told WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond. “We start to settle into our own lives and there’s still a lot of people in New Jersey and in New York that are actually still hurting. And I think it’s important for us to remember them, don’t forget, let them know that we’re on their side and together we’re going to get through this, we’re going to rebuild and we’re going to be better for it.”
Frank Del Vecchio runs trough Staten Island in rainstorm, May 23, 2013. (credit: Marla Diamond/WCBS 880)
Police in municipalities he runs through are donating their time by giving him escort.
All money donated to the Run for Hope Foundation will be given to Sandy victims on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
The chief’s goal is to raise $1 million.
Frank Del Vecchio shakes a supporter’s hand before his 106-mile for Sandy victims on May 23, 2013. (credit: Steve Sandberg/1010 WINS)
“It’s more or less to run to hopefully inspire others to do something good in their communities to remember those who suffered during Hurricane Sandy,” Del Vecchio said. “In the world today, we need some inspiration and we need some hope.”
Last September, Del Vecchio ran 26 miles from Ridgewood, N.J., across the George Washington Bridge and down to the World Trade Center site for the children of 9/11 victims.
He raised over $12,000 for the non-profit organization Tuesday’s Children.
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