On January 29, Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio and other members of First Bank of Sea Isle City’s Board of Directors traveled to the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May to deliver gift cards and non-perishable food items to Coast Guard personnel who have been negatively impacted by the recent Federal Government Shutdown. Overall, $5000 in gift cards was donated by First Bank of Sea Isle City in conjunction with Mayor Desiderio’s Food Drive, along with several cases of food. This trip marked the second time in as many weeks that Mayor Desiderio’s Food Drive had resulted in a delivery to the Coast Guard base.
Accompanying the Mayor and his First Bank colleagues was Sea Isle City Councilman Bill Kehner, who had with him a check for $1000 from the Cape May County League of Municipalities, and NJ State Senator Bob Andrzejczak, who also brought a delivery of non-perishable food items that were collected at his state offices.
Accepting the donations on behalf of her fellow Coast Guardsmen was Kellie Dean, an 18-year Coast Guard veteran who serves as the President of the Coast Guard’s Chief Petty Officers Association. After graciously thanking everyone for the donations, Petty Officer Dean indicated that the gift cards and other items will go a long way to help Coast Guard personnel.
“It really felt good to give back to the members of our local Coast Guard, who are always there, looking out for us and protecting us,” said Mayor Desiderio. “We need to continue to support and help these young men and women whenever possible.
