NORTHFIELD — A Linwood man is among seven Atlantic County residents who will be recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community during the 33rd annual Donald J. Sykes Awards ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Atlantic City Country Club.
Ridgway was born in 1968 with a severe case of amniotic pneumonia that had caused his lungs to be filled with fluid while in the womb, leaving no room for oxygen to circulate.
Ridgway learned by observing his three older siblings and was given every opportunity to join in all family activities. He learned to ride a bike and often could be found on the Linwood bike path.
Ridgway learned to swim and became a member of the Special Olympics swim team at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center and was one of seven swimmers chosen to compete in the Special Olympics National Games in 2006. He also played basketball with the Special Olympics basketball team.
Ridgway worked in maintenance for McDonald’s in Ocean City and a casino in Atlantic City. He eventually was offered a position in his family’s law firm, greeting clients and completing errands.
Eventually, he began volunteering at the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Northfield where his father was a resident after becoming ill.
Ridgway later applied for a position in Meadowview’s kitchen but was offered a job as a building maintenance worker for the facility and recently celebrated his four-year anniversary. His supervisor at Meadowview praised his care and compassion for his co-workers.
Ridgway rides NJ Transit Access Link to work each day. He buys his own clothes, pays his bills online and always remembers to vote. He is a member of the Northfield-Linwood Kiwanis Club, which nominated him, and received the Jim Whelan Memorial Award in 2019 for his outstanding support of the Special Olympics Dinner.
A member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, where he served as an altar server, Ridgway was nominated for the award by former state senator William L. Gormley.
Each October the county celebrates Disability Awareness Month with the presentation of awards to individuals with disabilities who were nominated by area organizations, family or friends for their positive attitudes, personal accomplishments and success in enriching the lives of others.
The ceremony is presented as a cooperative effort of the Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services and the Atlantic County Disability Advisory Board.
“These honorees encourage us to appreciate our similarities as well as our differences,” County Executive Dennis Levinson said. “We applaud their achievements and remarkable abilities to meet and overcome life’s challenges. They are shining examples for us all.”
Established by the county in 1989, the ceremony was later named in memory of Donald J. Sykes, a longtime community advocate and former chairman of the county’s Disabled Citizens Advisory Board.
Other honorees include:
Henry Birth of Egg Harbor Township, Brian Brennan of Egg Harbor Township, Resheda Johnson of Pleasantville, Judge Joseph Kane of Egg Harbor Township, Frank Montufar of Galloway Township and Keith C. Stankiewicz of Galloway Township.
For more information about the Donald J. Sykes Awards ceremony, call (609) 645-7700, ext. 4386. (TTY, use 711). For information on disability services, contact the Atlantic County Aging and Disability Resource Connection at (888) 426-9243.