Views From the Shore
In the fall of 2025, I had the opportunity to take Marketing Principles with Brian Cahill, who normally writes the Views from the Shore column for Shore Local. That class sparked my interest in all things marketing, and when Brian later invited me to intern with him at Shore Medical Center, I jumped at the chance. I remembered him speaking in class about Mike and Jeannie Monichetti’s generosity and the hospital’s deep appreciation for their support. Each year, Brian and the Shore team attend the race to show that gratitude.
One of my most fond childhood memories is spending President’s Day weekend in Sea Isle City. Every year, my family gathered at my grandparents’ house on 44th Street to take part in the Polar Plunge and the 5K. With so much tradition tied to that weekend, there was no way I could say no when Brian asked me to attend the race. As his intern, I was grateful to experience the event firsthand and support the neurodivergent community.
This past Saturday, Feb. 14, marked the 18th annual Mike’s Seafood Valentine’s Day 5K Run/Walk for Autism in Sea Isle City. Despite the cold, thousands gathered along the promenade united by a shared commitment to autism acceptance. Mike and Jeannie Monichetti, owners of Mike’s Seafood, founded the race in support of the autism community; a community their own children are part of, according to an article from Delco Today. What began as a heartfelt local effort has grown into one of South Jersey’s most meaningful annual fundraisers. Townspeople, visitors, and local businesses once again rallied behind their mission, demonstrating the powerful impact of community-driven philanthropy.
It was clear to me from the moment I started at Shore that they are grateful to all their gracious donors, especially Mike and Jeannie Monichetti. Shore Medical Center is committed to better serving individuals with autism and other forms of neurodiversity; therefore, it has developed several programs to support the care of neurodiverse patients. Shore’s emergency department is sensory-friendly for both pediatric and adult patients, and thanks to generous support from the Monichettis and funds raised through the 5K, a sensory-friendly outpatient testing program opened last April. The program allows patients to receive EKGs, bloodwork, and other essential testing in an environment designed with sensitivity and understanding in mind.
What stood out to me most was how proudly Shore lives out its culture. Staff members didn’t just attend, they participated, ran, volunteered, and showed up for something bigger than themselves. Along with the staff, TJ Nugent, a student in my class with Brian last semester, agreed to run the race as the hospital’s mascot, Fin, and finished in 39:30! TJ’s support was greatly appreciated, as were the efforts of my parents and my boyfriend, who also participated in the race. It was hard not to feel surrounded by love and support this past Valentine’s Day at such a great event. And yes, I was pretty excited to meet Jason Kelce and his wife, who have long supported Sea Isle City events. It was a fun moment in an already unforgettable day.
As both a Sea Isle kid at heart and a marketing intern learning the power of community engagement, this event felt full circle. The Mike’s Seafood 5K for Autism is more than a race. It is tradition, philanthropy, and advocacy woven together, and I am grateful to have witnessed how Valentine’s Day weekend can make such a lasting impact. Brian may teach the four P’s of marketing, but I’ve learned through my internship there’s really a fifth: purpose. And when you market with purpose, you can truly make a difference.
Megan Guns is a Senior at Stockton University graduating in the Spring with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a minor in Business Administration. She is currently interning at Shore Medical Center in the Marketing Department.
