Walkathon will benefit teacher injured in crash
OBHS grad would have begun career at Sandburg last week
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE — Though Mike Wojcik suffered injuries that prevented him from starting off the school year teaching at Carl Sandburg Middle School, the community is keeping him close in spirit, rooting for his recovery.

A three-mile walkathon Sept. 20 aims to raise money for Wojcik, who has remained unconscious since an accident on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) landed him in a Pennsylvania hospital Aug. 10. The township native suffered severe injuries, including head trauma, multiple broken bones and two ruptured arteries.

"Because it was a head injury, there's so much unknown about the brain that they don't know what to expect," said Judy Burlew, a friend and organizer of the walkathon. "They tell us he could wake up tomorrow, or he could wake up a year from now."

Some good news came in recent days, when doctors moved Wojcik to another room in the hospital because his condition became stable. Though still unconscious, his situation improved when he was able to breathe on his own for a full 48 hours, according to Burlew.

Wojcik, 24, had no health insurance at the time of the accident.

A graduate of Cooper Elementary School, Sandburg Middle School and Old Bridge High School, class of 2002, Wojcik was slated to begin his teaching career at Sandburg on Sept. 2. He graduated from West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown in December with a degree in physical education and health.

Wojcik's career path was no surprise to those who know him. According to Burlew, whose son John, 22, has been close friends with Wojcik since childhood, the soon-to-be teacher has always been healthy and athletic.

A

stand-out varsity wrestler during his

time at the high school, Wojcik scored a scholarship at WVU for his performance on the mat. While in college, he suffered a neck injury while wrestling that put an end to his career in the sport, and required surgery to mend. Not to be discouraged, Wojcik worked hard and saved in order to make it through college, Burlew said.

Wojcik planned to coach wrestling this year. While his neck injury precluded himfrom wrestling, Wojcik continued to work out regularly to keep in top condition. He never used drugs, and has always made a point of staying healthy, Burlew said.

"He is built like an ox," Burlew said. "That's why we hold out high hopes for his recovery, because he was always in such good shape."

The accident happened during a weekend trip to a friend's cabin in Pennsylvania, according to Burlew, whose son John was also on the trip. While riding quads with friends, Wojcik struck a tree, she said.

Wojcik's parents live in Cliffwood Beach, and they, along with his older sister and brother, make regular trips to Pennsylvania to be near him. Though it is a trying time for them, support from the community may help to ease some of the pain.

"He has just had so many people who have made that trip to the hospital," Burlew said. "On any given day, you have 30 people up there."

Since Wojcik is housed in the intensive care unit, only family members can go in to see him, but friends still make the hour and a half trip to show their love and concern to his family.

A fundraising event Aug. 27 at TGI Friday's in Hazlet garnered so much support for Wojcik that it broke past fundraising records for the restaurant, according to Burlew.

"He's a great kid," said Lynn Reynolds, another organizer and friend.

Many in the community must agree, as they are banding together to help in any way possible. The township's auxiliary police are volunteering their time to block off roads on the three-mile route of the walkathon, which will kick off 8 a.m. at Carl Sandburg Middle School, Route 516.

Muffins and water provided by the company that supplies school lunches will be given out by volunteer kids performing community service.

A $10 entry fee for each walker, combined with additional voluntary donations, will help Wojcik's family manage hospital bills and rehabilitation costs.

"We're expecting a minimum of 500 people," Burlew said.