Burke Motor Group Donates Transportation Van to CMC DAV

COURT HOUSE – Burke Motor Group recently met their fundraising goal and presented the keys for a new transportation Chevrolet van to Cape May County DAV Chapter #44 on Wednesday, Sep. 3. Burke Motor Group hosted a celebratory event in order to thank all those who made contributions both large and small to this cause.
The Burke family first announced their intentions to fund this endeavor at their May 17, Armed Forces Day tribute to first responders and veterans. “We announced our $10,000 pledge and challenged our employees and the community to help us raise the remaining $15,000 that we targeted as the amount necessary to reach our goal,” stated Francey Burke.
Francey first attributed the success of the campaign to the many Burke employees “who made this project possible with their enthusiastic support and dedication.” She also gave special thanks to the Elks, The Emerald Society, The Knights of Columbus, Cape Bank, Joe Canal’s, Tuscany Trucks of Texas, and Joe Faulkner. She also expressed her gratitude to Middle Township students from ages 5 and up who participated in a “Dress Down Day” to support the cause. The students raised a total of $1,700, which Francey promptly deposited at Cape Bank in the form of “1,000 dollar bills and a large bucket of coins.”
Due to an overwhelming response to their goal, Burke was actually able to exceed the funds required for purchase of the van and therefore added extra equipment to the van and purchased a $500 gasoline gift card. This will enable the County DAV Chapter to begin transport with minimal expenses.
The event began at 5:30 p.m. on Sep. 3 at Burke Motor Group located at 519 Stone Harbor Boulevard in Cape May Court House. Johnnie Walker of the Cape May County DAV Chapter #44 was on site to formally accept the keys to the van on behalf of the organization. “I first met Francey at a VIM meeting about 9 months ago,” recounted Walker, “and I told her about the DAV’s transportation issues. Three days later, I got a phone call from Francey saying that they’d like to do something to help. And by God, did they do something,” expressed Walker. The van will be used primarily to transport local veterans to medical facilities for necessary treatment.
Also on site to acknowledge this significant contribution were James M. Kopley of the Disabled American Veterans Department of New Jersey and Fred Tassati, Jr., Hospital Service Coordinator of the Cape May County DAV Transportation Services. Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak, Army veteran, expressed how useful this donation will be, stating, “Before, there were so many limitations as to where we could go and who could be taken to what places. This has opened up so many opportunities, and we have now we have no more limitations.”
Robert Geist, aide for U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, (R-2nd) congratulated all involved stating, “I am pleased and honored to be here on behalf of Congressman LoBiondo for this kickoff and for this tremendous accomplishment of Burke motor group, the Burke family, and our veterans community who has done this. The way the community has pulled together, it is an inspiration for Congressman LoBiondo and other elected officials.”