Tickets available; proceeds go to his cuperation from injuries suffered in New Orleans terror attack
SOMERS POINT — The Windjammer Restaurant is auctioning off several baskets filled with goodies to support Ocean City native Adam Coste, who is recovering from extensive lower-body injuries suffered in the Jan. 1 terror attack in New Orleans.
Kathy Hoover, whose sister and brother-in-law — Ginny and Steve Tiniakos — own the restaurant, organized the fundraiser shortly after the deadly attack.
She said her sister’s children know the Ocean City High School graduate from their church, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox in Egg Harbor Township. The family is very civic-minded, hosting other fundraisers throughout the year including Wigs and Wishes last summer.
“We heard about the accident and we heard he had to have some surgeries,” Hoover said of her motivation to start the drawing. “I said to everyone at the bar, ‘Why don’t we make a basket and whatever we make we’ll donate to him and show him that people in the community care about him.’”
Coste’s sister Sophia Coste told the Sentinel that the family appreciates the efforts.
“Our entire family has been so touched by the overwhelming support from the Tiniakos family, who generously started this fundraiser for Adam, as well as the patrons and staff of the Windjammer who have donated and offered their support. Their kindness has brought an outpouring of love and encouragement from our South Jersey family, reaching Adam from afar,” she stated in a text.
Sophia stated her brother was focusing on his recovery and making steady progress.
“The kindness and generosity of our community have given him strength during this difficult time, and we are hopeful for his continued healing,” she stated.
Hoover said the response was immediate and overwhelming. In about 10 days, they had collected enough items to fill three baskets with Philadelphia sports gear and memorabilia, USA-themed items, clothing, gift cards and other items. The highlights include a football signed by Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, an autographed A.J. Brown jersey and a 55-inch Samsung television.
Hoover said it’s a true community effort.
“All those baskets are from all the people who come into the bar, the restaurant. A lot of the businesses in town sent over donations,” she said, noting Ocean City businesses also supported the effort.
The drawing is set for about 11 a.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. Hoover said she hopes to get a member of the Coste family to draw the winning ticket, which are $10 and still available.
How much money has been collected so far?
“It’s kind of a secret, but it’s a lot, I’ll say that,” Hoover said.
Whatever is raised through the fundraiser will go directly to Coste to help with the cost of care.
In addition, a GoFundMe page set up to offset the expenses had reached $99,154 of its $100,000 target as of Jan. 30 through more than 1,300 donations, many of them from area residents.
The attack
Texan Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, was shot dead by police when he got out of his pickup truck after striking scores of people on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Jabbar reportedly posted on Facebook his allegiance to terrorist group the Islamic State, but according to the FBI acted alone in his attack. Fourteen people were killed and at least 57 others injured.
Coste, a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, is the educational travel manager at The National WWII Museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy in New Orleans.
“As a witness to this horrific act, my thoughts are focused on the many victims who lost their lives or are facing critical injuries,” Coste said in a statement released on his behalf by the National WWII Museum shortly after the attack. “While I expect to make a full recovery, many are far less fortunate. Please join me in keeping them in your thoughts and supporting them and their families.
“I am not taking media questions but greatly appreciate everyone’s concern and well wishes during this challenging time.”
The museum released its own statement: “The National WWII Museum is aware that one of our staff members, Adam Coste, was injured in the French Quarter tragedy. We are in touch with Adam and his family to provide support and assistance during his recovery. We continue to extend our heartfelt condolences to all of the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted.”
Scott Hedge of New Orleans, who describes himself as a close friend of Coste and a U.S. Navy veteran of foreign wars, organized the GoFundMe drive. He wrote on the GoFundMe site that his friend suffered extensive injuries to his lower extremities after being struck by Jabbar’s vehicle on his walk home.
Hedge wrote that Coste “will require an intensive course of surgeries and rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk.”
“I am creating this GoFundMe to take away any undue stress from Adam while he recovers physically, emotionally and awaits returning to work at the National WWII Museum, in his role as the Educational Travel Manager, Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, where his true passion lies.”
According to the biography on the museum’s website, Coste has a degree in military history from West Point and was commissioned as an infantry officer who served 11 years of active duty in the U.S. Army. He deployed overseas three times to the Middle East and Europe on combat and operational deployments, serving in the 1st Calvary Division and 1st Infantry Division where he commanded both an infantry and headquarters company.
To donate, go online to https://www.gofundme.com/f/assist-adam-a-brave-veteran-in-healing.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK and DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff