Mike Lenhardt lost his first wife, Gina, to breast cancer in 2003. Since then he has wanted to “bring attention to this dreadful disease,” to help in some way.
Mike is Ocean City’s Supervisor of Recreation Maintenance. One of his facilities is Carey Stadium, the City’s football field by the sea.
Mike noticed that the color pink, a symbol of breast cancer awareness, has been featured throughout the area, on pins, athletic uniforms and promotional signage.
“Why not paint the football field pink? That would attract plenty of attention,” he thought.
Mike presented his idea to high school officials. They gave him the green light. On Oct. 23, when Ocean City plays Egg Harbor Township, the stadium will glow pink. The yard line numbers will be painted in pink. In addition the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon will appear in the end zones.
Mike is teaming with the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition in this project. The Coalition was formed by a group of survivors concerned with the enormous social, medical and economic consequences of Breast Cancer.
A similar organization helped him meet his mortgage payments when his wife passed away six years ago.
The Coalition will distribute literature during the game and monies from the concession stand will be donated to support those with breast cancer. Ocean City employees are making donations through their union and part of the gate receipts will be donated.
The football players will wear pink wrist bands and cheerleaders will sell lollipops.
When Lenhardt spoke to the Coalition, he was told that members of the Carolyn J. Ochs Fund would represent them at the game.
“Wow!” he thought, OCHS, the same initials as Ocean City High School!
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