We asked around the community in Cape May, Wildwood, Stone Harbor and the surrounding cities about some real kind folks and we found A LOT! In recognition of their touching and inspiring stories of kindness and perseverance, the Barefoot Country Music Fest will spotlight and honor the following representatives with the #BCMFBeKind Award on stage in June of 2023. We have a lot more to spotlight, but check out who we have below.
Jim was nominated for our #BCMFBeKind Award for the funds he has raised for OTHER families fighting cancer with the ‘Britt’s PINK HAIR Project’. Jim lost his wife Brittany, to a long battle with leukemia and she left behind a loving husband and four young beautiful children in 2020. We are told that Jim was lost in life when they lost Britt and the community rallied around him to show him the love and support his family so desperately needed. Jim was so touched that once he got back on his feet, he wanted to give back to those that gave so much to him and his family. Jim works in entertainment and has a local band, with his fundraisers, he raised over $20,000 for others in need. All the money raised went to families fighting cancer. It’s called the ‘Britt’s PINK HAIR Project’ – because of Brittany’s beautiful pink hair. We heard you’re looking to do a golf outing for your next fundraiser – count us in, Jim! We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Abby Marie was nominated several times over for the #BCMFBeKind award and for good reason. Most of the children in the area that learned to ride, show or jump horses in the community were taught by Abby. Her gentle ways and kindness is well known. Her big heart led her to create Starfish Equine Rescue where Abby helps horses in need of rescue. She has saved so many horses from slaughter and rehabilitated them back to good health. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Bobbi-Jo Taylor was nominated for our #BCMFBeKind Award for The Stocking Project, where she and other people in her community put together Christmas Stockings every year for the nursing homes in Cape May County. In 2019 her brother Harry Seher, became a long-term care resident of what was then called Oceana Nursing Facility. While she frequently visited Harry with her sister and aunt, it appeared that few other residents had outside visitors. Unable to adopt all the residents on her own, she rallied co-workers, church members, family and friends to fill Christmas Stockings for each of the 110 residents of Oceana. Bobbi-Jo took to social media in 2020 and enough stockings were donated to serve a second nursing facility for a combined total of 204 stockings. When her brother Harry passed in 2021, the staff at Oceana commented that the residents would miss receiving the Christmas stocking that year. Without hesitation, Bobbi-Jo responded that the project would continue in memory of Harry. Though the project was not directly about Harry, but rather embodied his generous nature that was far greater than his means to give materially, it’s also about kindness. The project continues and in 2022, The Stocking Project and its elves, delivered 605 stockings to every resident living in 6 out of the 7 nursing home facilities in Cape May County. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Brian & Jamie Heritage were nominated for our #BCMFBeKind Award for their kindness they show all over Sea Isle City where they own Heritage Surf Shop. Together, they give back to the community in a big way, most of it going under the radar. They organize and fund the outdoor teen game nights at the Excursion Park, help fund and feed the food pantry at United Methodist Church in Sea Isle City, and are involved with the local toy drive. We’ve been told that they are actively involved in any fundraiser in town, to help others. Brian and Jamie, thank y’all for your selfless love for your community. We can’t wait to recognize y’all in person on the stages of BCMF and give y’all a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Maddie was nominated for the #BCMFBeKind Award and undoubtedly deserving of it! When Maddie was a student at Wildwood High, she noticed some of her fellow classmates couldn’t afford sporting goods. She set out to create a 501 C3 in the community that helps children/athletes in the schools that can’t afford sporting goods as well as supporting mental health. Maddie graduated Wildwood High and is focusing the growth and message on The Step Back Foundation. Her mission is to motivate and inspire kids at an early age to be a part of something special (whether that may be a sports team, club or organization) by building self-love, poise and confidence! Maddie, you have our heart! We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Josh was nominated for the #BCMFBeKind Award for his drive to see the kids in his community thrive! He was a teacher/coach/advocate for youth at Cape May County Technical School. He saw a need for at-risk kids and made a commitment to better the lives of our youth, gave up teaching and created No Limits Academy, where he inspires children to be better in their community, to work hard in school and live healthy lifestyles through sports and activities. It takes a village to raise a child and he is willing to take that challenge and be a role model in his community! We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
After losing her grandmother’s home in a fire, Kendall had the opportunity to MC a fundraiser alongside a Mr. John Lynch for her family. She fell in-love with giving back and wanted to make a difference in her community in a big way. This kind-hearted, country-music-lovin’, seven-year-old set up shop in her own front yard for a lemonade stand. Word spread very quickly and Kendall managed to single handedly raise $800. All proceeds from her lemonade stand fundraiser went to providing shoes for her fellow students at her elementary school that were in need. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Chad DeSatnick suffered a severe spinal cord injury while surfing in Cape May, shattering his C6 and C7 vertebrae. After neurosurgeons performed an 11-hour surgery to repair the damage, Chad was told he may never walk, and certainly would never surf again. Chad however, defied all the odds. Not only did Chad define the odds, he and his brother Todd formed the DeSatnick Foundation, dedicated to spinal cord injury awareness and fundraising efforts designed to raise money for programs and victims in New Jersey and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for others. They also support Life Rolls On. Chad, thank you for your determination and for giving back to others. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Chuck McDonnell was nominated for our #BCMFBeKind Award for his involvement in his community. There are those who lay the foundation and those that will create our future and Chuck McDonnell, Director of the Avalon Rec Center in Avalon, NJ takes care of both. Whether he is volunteering at a community event or coaching his team, Chuck is dedicated to bettering the lives of our senior citizens and youth. Chuck, thank you for all you do. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
AJ Caruso was nominated for the #BCMFBeKind Award for his dedication to keeping the beaches of Wildwood and beyond, beautiful. What started out as a group of like minded lifeguards and community surfers for oceanic conservation, the Love Blue movement was created. Love Blue practices ocean conservation through community-based projects and beach cleanups. Last year Love Blue reached out to us to help us clean up after BCMF and we always strive to leave it better than we found it so we were delighted to hear from Love Blue. AJ, thank you for all you and your team do! We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Pastor Dawson and Pastor Toney were nominated for our #BCMFBeKind Award for their unwavering commitment to community throughout Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties. A few examples of this is their Annual Autism Walk and ongoing support of special education programming in the county, a Back to School Bash, winter coat giveaways, Unity in the Community Day at the Cape May County Park, they join efforts with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and various other community day events. You can visit either SOAR Church locations or check out their website for info on upcoming community events and learn how to get involved whether it is through volunteer work or donations! Thank you Pastor Dawson and Pastor Toney for everything you do! We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Kennedy Campbell was nominated for our #BCMFBeKind award and there is no doubt she is deserving. Nothing is more inspiring than witnessing triumph through tragedy. Kennedy Campbell demonstrates the epitome of kindness and perseverance throughout the West Cape May Community. Her senior year of high school, she helped facilitate a successful basketball season, despite losing her dad to cancer. She chose to make that her driving force in ensuring her teammates had a great season. Her selflessness shines through in all that she does. She dedicates her free time to the residents of West Cape May as a member of the Cape May Beach Patrol and she is one of only two female volunteer firefighters for Cape May Point Volunteer Fire Company. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
They were nominated for our #BCMFBeKind Award for their kindness and drive to help others. After courageously fighting a seven year battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, Kanen Michael Keating-Wear passed away. Amidst the tragedy of losing her son, Lauren started a foundation that helped kids fighting for their lives called HuriKanens Kids. Lauren always made sure that those kids who were suffering had presents on every holiday; Easter baskets, Halloween candy, and something to do on the 4th of July while kids were stuck in the hospital, just like her son once was. Thank y’all for your selfless love for your community. We can’t wait to recognize y’all in person on the stages of BCMF and give y’all a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Ronald McGowan Jr. was nominated by multiple people for our #BCMFBeKind Award for his work around West Wildwood. Ronald is a lifelong resident of West Wildwood, multi-purpose community volunteer with the West Wildwood Vol. Fire Department member and Former Fire Chief as well as works with the County Fire Marshal’s Office and is a member of the Borough Planning Board. Ronald has touched a lot of lives in the work he does. He will offer any kind of help in any matter, he will help change his schedule no matter what it is. Ronald is also a great mechanic, a true jack of all trades! We can’t wait to recognize y’all in person on the stages of BCMF and give y’all a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Gina was highly recommended by an associate of ours in the convention center. Gina is well known in OCNJ as a very kind person that gives back to her community. She is an advocate for health and education and hosts health fairs and local races in the city. She invests a great deal of time and energy into her community and is a very popular/ positive role model among the residents. We can’t wait to recognize y’all in person on the stages of BCMF and give y’all a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
When it comes to saving the planet, Barbara Bassett is your gal. As the chair of the environmental commission and leader of the Cape May Point Green Team, Barbara works tirelessly to volunteer her time educating residents and visitors about the environment, wildlife, native plants, and migratory birds. She continuously offers her time and efforts to support ongoing events and projects throughout the community. When you need a hand, Barbara is ready, willing and able, every time. She is a true asset to the Cape May Point Family. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Dotti was nominated for our #BCMFBeKind Award for her work running the Dennis Township Secret Santa Program. The Dennis Township Secret Santa Program provides gifts at Christmas to families in need throughout the county. It’s a year round operation as she is constantly scanning stores for sales and buying as much as she can with the donations that she receives. What she does for not only Dennis Township, but many families throughout the County is truly admirable. We can’t wait to recognize you in person on the stages of BCMF and give you a much deserved weekend (on us), full of country music and good times!
Everyone on this beautiful island that is known as the ‘WILDWOODS’ has welcomed us with open arms. We truly feel we have an extended family – from the Mayor to K9 Storm, the lifeguards to the sweet lady at the Bubba’s that invited us to her house for a cookout, each business and the tourism office, every police, fire, EMS, first responder. We could write a book on the kind folks in this community. Well, everyone except the guy that almost body tackled us for trying to pump their own gas. There is one that stands out in our hearts as the definition of kindness and we’d like to award JOHN LYNCH and his program, THUMBS UP FOR KINDESS with the #BCMFBeKind Award – John, thank you for your selfless service to all those you touch. We know you have a special family on your mind you want to help. Call us and let’s do it.
