Hometown Hero: Jim & Margaret Crescenzo
By Cindy Fertsch
Jamie Crescenzo lost her life tragically in a car accident on February 18th , 2000. Jamie was only 20 years old at the time, was an Egg Harbor Township High School graduate and was a full time student at Atlantic Cape Community College. She was on her way to work that morning when extreme weather conditions hit and Jamie lost control of the car. Jamie’s parents, Jim and Margaret Crescenzo quickly establish the Remembering Jamie Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, as a way to honor Jamie’s life. “It is a reflection of everything that was important to
Jamie,” says Jim Crescenzo, “family, friends, community and education.”
The Remembering Jamie Foundation gives multiple scholarships each year to Egg Harbor Township High School graduates, Atlantic Cape Community College and Stockton students. It also gives out grants to community organizations including the Egg Harbor Township Police Athletic League, Covenant House and Atlantic County Adopt a Road. Jamie wanted to be a police officer. Through the years, Jim and Margaret have been able to see the recipients of the Remembering Jamie Foundation scholarships grow and achieve their dreams. Many keep in touch and appreciate the investment in them that the Remembering Jamie Foundation provided. “More than the money, it is the vote of confidence that matters the most to the students,” says Jim Crescenzo “It’s like someone saying ‘Hey, I believe in
you.”
The Remembering Jamie Foundation holds two fundraising events per year. The first is an Italian Dinner, always the Saturday after President’s Day at the Elks Lodge in Egg Harbor Township. This year it is Saturday, February 24th, 4-8PM with special guest Miss New Jersey, Kaitlyn Schoeffel, also of Egg Harbor Township. Tickets are available in advance and at the door. It is not unusual for 500 people to attend and throughout the years several professional football players have been among the guests. The second annual fundraiser is a golf tournament held in Mays Landing in September each year.
Jamie Crescenzo, in only 20 years touched a lot of lives. “She would do anything for anyone,” says Jim Crescenzo, as he described a time when Jamie purchased gifts for a coworker’s children because they were struggling financially. Jamie was a member of her High School Key Club and the manager of the Girls Basketball team. She worked hard to pay her tuition and understood the value of both education and community. If you would like more information go to RememberingJamie.weebly.com or Facebook.com/RememberingJamieFoundation
