Kevin O'Donnell: Keeping his memory alive

By TODD MCHALE
Burlington County Times

Former Holy Cross High School soccer standout Kevin Gerald O'Donnell of Burlington Township was a fighter.

Despite having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, O'Donnell lived his life to the fullest before he succumbed to the disease in 2001.

And now, a group of Holy Cross alumni from the Class of 1977 are determined to keep the memory of the younger alumnus alive. O'Donnell graduated from Holy Cross in 1983.

“He wouldn't let this disease bring him down,” said Ed Morgan, a former Palmyra High School teacher and member of the Holy Cross Class of 1977.

“He was strong-willed and determined,” Morgan said of O'Donnell, who played soccer at Cabrini College and eventually married one of Morgan's former students. “He was the type of person who would never quit. He had a love for life, and he was determined to help other ALS patients.”

Morgan and his former classmates have planned several fundraising events this week for the ALS Hope Foundation's Kevin O'Donnell Independent Living Initiative Memorial Fund. Some of the proceeds will also be donated to the South Jersey Field of Dreams, a specially constructed baseball field in Abescon, Atlantic County, that can accommodate physically disabled children and adults.

Morgan contacted Rob Rodolico, president of the Class of 1977, about raising money for the foundation in O'Donnell's memory.

“I really didn't want people to forget about Kevin. I wanted to keep his spirit alive,” Morgan said.

Rodolico and several other classmates have since agreed to help.

After some discussion, the class has come up with a series of fundraisers that begin tonight with a benefit dinner and culminate Sunday with the end of a three-day, 50-mile combination bike ride and walk.


“It's really taken a life of its own,” said Rodolico of Edgwater Park, who met O'Donnell only once nearly a decade ago.

He said he and the others got involved in order to help those who are living with this horrible disease.

“It's a death sentence,” Rodolico said. “Once you get it, it's only a matter of time before the good Lord takes you.”

All of the following events, including the walk and ride, are open to anyone who wants to participate:

Today: Dinner benefit for ALS/Field of Dreams at McCrossen's Dockside, 74 Norman Avenue, Riverside from 4 p.m. to closing.


Friday: First day of Walk/Bike Ride to “Field of Dreams.” Participants gather at Route 130 South entrance of Holy Cross High School at 9 a.m. and walk from the high school to Centerton Road in Moorestown. Afterwards, participants will ride a bike from Centerton Road to McDonald's in Medford, followed by a walk from McDonald's to PJ Whelihan's in Medford. They will then ride to the Silver Coin Diner in Hammonton.


Saturday: Informal evening of music by 1977 Holy Cross graduate Carter McWilliams and Friends, 8 p.m. to closing, Buzz's Tavern, Mount Holly. 50/50 drawing to benefit ALS/Field of Dreams benefit.


Sunday: Meet at Garden State Parkway and Route 30 in Absecon at 11 a.m. to walk remaining mile to the South Jersey Field of Dreams. Donation ceremony at 12 noon.
For registration information for the ALS Walk/Ride to South Jersey Field of Dreams contact Rob Rodolico at (856) 220-1945.

E-mail: tmchale@phillyBurbs.com

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/ne...8-1550198.html