Views from the Shore
The smiles said it all. One after another, 125 neurodiverse children and adults paddled into the Atlantic, caught waves and returned to shore with smiles that were impossible to miss. Those same smiles could be found everywhere that day, on the faces of parents and family members, volunteers, sponsors, organizers and community partners. That’s what Heart of Surfing is all about.
I recently had the opportunity to represent Shore Medical Center at the annual Heart of Surfing event on the beach in front of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Shore was there to share information about our growing sensory-friendly care programs, while nearby were representatives from the Eagles Autism Foundation and the Hard Rock Atlantic City community relations team, all united by a common goal of supporting an organization that gives neurodiverse individuals the opportunity to experience the joy of surfing in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment.
Hard Rock also presented Heart of Surfing with a $5,000 donation, another example of the casino’s commitment to organizations that strengthen our community. It was encouraging to see a business known for entertainment so deeply invested in creating opportunities for others and using its resources to help make a difference.
What struck me most wasn’t the surfing itself. It was the confidence on the faces of participants after catching a wave, the cheers from complete strangers and the encouragement from volunteers who celebrated every success. For many families, opportunities like this don’t come along every day. Heart of Surfing creates an environment where everyone belongs, everyone is encouraged and everyone gets the chance to experience something many of us take for granted.
Much of that is thanks to Bob and Cindy Fertch, the driving force behind Heart of Surfing. While many people only see the event itself, Bob and Cindy work year-round to create these opportunities for neurodiverse individuals and their families. On event day, they weren’t standing on the sidelines. They were in the sand, in the water and alongside the participants, doing whatever needed to be done. Their hands-on leadership and genuine passion were evident everywhere you looked, and the joy they help create is something our community is fortunate to have.
The event also gave me the opportunity to catch up with Sharon Pearce, Director of Public Relations & Community Affairs for Hard Rock Atlantic City, someone I’ve been fortunate to know for many years. Sharon has been a mentor who helped shape my career by leading through example. She’s one of those people who always has a smile on her face and makes everyone around her smile too. Her positivity, kindness and willingness to encourage others have left a lasting impression on me and so many others. It was also great reconnecting with Michelle Alexander, Hard Rock’s Community Relations Manager, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with both in the casino industry and at Shore. We shared stories, a few laughs and reflected on the many ways community partnerships bring people together.
As I packed up at the end of the day, I realized those smiles were the story. They reflected the joy of the participants, the pride of their families and the dedication of the volunteers, sponsors and organizations that made the day possible. Heart of Surfing reminds us that when we support one another, everyone has a reason to smile.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He also volunteers on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association, the Somers Point Economic Advisory Commission, and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
