Curtis Martin Signing Raises More Than $28K for Sandy Relief

More than 400 members of the Bellmore-Merrick community gathered at John F. Kennedy High School for the Curtis Martin fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy relief.

Martin, the legendary New York Jets running back and 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, signed autographs at Kennedy High School and raised more than $28,000 to benefit the Cougar Nation Hurricane Relief Fund.

“Our community was devastated by Hurricane Sandy,” Martin said. “Many families were displaced, homes were destroyed and businesses experienced huge losses. Some of us who remain intact have the ability to help those who are not.”

The JFK Student Government contacted ESPN football analyst and Kennedy High School alumnus Adam Schefter about the event, who then contacted Martin, who is ranked fourth in all-time NFL career rushing yards and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.

“I am proud of the students of the Kennedy Student Government who have worked tirelessly this year to raise money to help those in their community,” said JFK Student Government advisor Mr. Brad Seidman. “They are role models for all of us.  We are all incredibly thankful to Curtis Martin, who generously donated his time and money to this effort.  Without both him and Kennedy alumnus Adam Schefter this event would not have been possible.”

The $28,000 raised included a $10,000 donation from Martin and a $5,000 donation from New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. The high school collected $12,619.69 in ticket sales and $418.75 in merchandise sales at the event.

Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos presented Curtis Martin with an honorary citation to thank him for donating his time and money to support local families who are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

“It’s great that a person of Curtis Martin’s stature took time out of his busy schedule to remember the families here in Nassau County who are still struggling to recover from Sandy,” Maragos said.

“The Kennedy Student Government is grateful to Mr. Martin for donating his time to help us raise money for the worthy cause, and also for his generous donation,” said Scott Fessler, Kennedy’s Student Government President. “We are excited to use the money to help those in our community who have suffered a tremendous financial burden as a result of the hurricane.”

One hundred percent of the donations from the autograph signing went to the Cougar Nation Hurricane Relief Fund, which was set up in November to benefit families in Bellmore-Merrick community that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.