By Julia Train
Lawson’s Pride, a local nonprofit based in Somers Point, “adopted” the Lawrence Lawson Coast Guard cutter in Cape May. Since then, the 501(c)(3) raised funds to help support the 24 crewmembers and their families, who come from all over the country.
For those unfamiliar with the terminology, vessels commissioned by the Coast Guard are referred to as “United States Coast Guard Cutters.” The Lawrence Lawson ship was commissioned in 2017. The cutter is docked in Cape May and provides aid to search-and-rescue missions along the mid-Atlantic coast.
According to Professional Mariner, the cutter is named after Lawrence O. Lawson, who led the rescue of 18 crewmembers from the vessel Calumet in November of 1889 in icy conditions after two prior failed attempts. He then received the Gold Lifesaving Medal on Oct. 17, 1890, for his leadership.
The 154-foot-long boat was built at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana. It’s the 20th Sentinel-class cutter to be delivered to the United States Coast Guard.
Colonel John Turner had the idea to give back to the cutter’s crewmembers. The resolution was passed in a city council meeting for Lawson’s Pride to become a registered nonprofit. It now has a 10-member committee that meets once a month.
“A lot of [the members] have small children and they’re away from their support systems,” said Janice Johnston, the organization’s president. “So we just try and kind of supplement a little bit wherever we can.”
Lawson’s Pride provides in a variety of ways for the Coast Guard. They hold food drives, provide baby showers for members, and arrange entire ham dinners for the families at Christmas. The organization also helps with household repair costs for crewmembers’ families.
The 501(c)(3) also donates profits from fundraisers to the crew through selling apparel at large events, such as beach concerts and car shows.
On July 8, they hosted their annual “FUNdraiser” at the American Legion Post 352. For $20 at the door, which all went to Lawrence Lawson, attendees were given a ticket to door prizes, food and live music.
There were tables and a buffet inside. The prizes, apparel and music tent were set up outside, which worried some attendees and hosts due to the uncertain weather.
“We hope to make a couple thousand, but sometimes it’s more, sometimes it’s less. It just depends on how many people come in here,” said Johnston. “And we hope we don’t get rained out, but we have a lot of support. People are very generous with anything with the military, you know, they’re very appreciative.”
Last year’s “FUNdraiser” made about $2000, which all went to the crew. The organization is able to donate the entirety of the profits because everything at the fundraiser is donated. The door prizes were all donated, including gift cards to Charlie’s, Platinum Car Wash, and Hummingbird Yoga. The band often donates their time for their events because the lead singer, Greg Sykora, is the vice president.
About a half hour after the doors opened, The SSPs began playing their classic covers with their rendition of “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash.
Throughout the evening, the rain stayed away and the attendees visibly enjoyed themselves.
“We’re a coastal community and I think sometimes we forget what our Coast Guard does for us so we need to support them in any way that we can,” said Johnston.
