North Lacrosse Team, Residents Run Hirtes Hike

The Toms River High School North lacrosse team held the 2nd Annual Hirtes Hike to benefit families in Toms River on Saturday.

The event was a 5K race/walk which began at 9 a.m. at Toms River North.

After the race/walk, a ceremony was held on the stage with many members speaking who took an important part in the event's planning.

Coach Brett Smith was among those who spoke. During his speech, he quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, saying, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools," which he said the event encompasses on that day.

Smith made reference to the lacrosse players competing against each other in sports, but in the end all the players are from Toms River.

 "We're all from Toms River … we all have a great town and we all have a responsibility to make Toms River great," said Smith.

 Smith, who is a history teacher at North and the boys head lacrosse coach, spoke after his speech about how the event was created: "In the seven years of our program we had seen a bit of tragedy: a few grandparents of our players passed away and then it started  to hit the parents with a couple guys losing a mom or dad. A few members of the staff were affected by cancer as well. We saw an opportunity and instead of mourning we wanted to have a positive action … to give back. Three of the Hirtes boys have played lacrosse here."

Smith spoke about Mrs. Hirtes, who passed away in January 2010. The race was named in her honor because, according to Smith, she lived the lacrosse team's mantra: "Give of yourself for the better of the team."

 "It’s a great way to bring the town together as we reach out to the other two high schools in the town," said Smith.

According to a press release, the Hirtes Hike was organized to benefit those in need.

"The Hirtes Hike is an annual fundraiser conducted by the Toms River North boys lacrosse team to benefit different local and national charities. The inaugural event was created to benefit a family in our organization that personifies our mantra of giving for the benefit of others.

The event memorializes Mrs. Maureen Hirtes, who lost her battle with cancer. Mrs. Hirtes was a loving wife and mother of 11. She home-schooled her children until high school and was a very active member in her congregation. Mrs. Hirtes also worked in the medical field as a nurse.

In short, Mrs. Hirtes was a model citizen, who embodied all the qualities we wish to instill in our players."

 In addition to helping the Hirtes family, this year's fundraiser will benefit other families in the area. The Donovan family, the Fetzer family, the Nolze family, and the Picurro family will also benefit.

For those who ran in the 5K race, a $20 donation will go to the foundation to help those families listed at the event.

Also speaking at the event was James Hauenstein, principle of Toms River North. He was asked what it means to be at the event for the Hirtes Hike: "When you watch this community, our community come together, and you see the spirit and the giving back … I think one of the greatest lessons you can give young people is that spirit that what we have is special and if we can turn that back on somebody else, we’ve made a tremendous impact. This is what Toms River's all about; a great community and we're giving back to our own."

Hauenstein also was first in line to sit in the dunk tank as part of the fundraising event. Most students never get a chance to dunk their principle into a tank of cold water, so many lacrosse players jumped at the opportunity.

The only trick was they had to shoot at the target using their lacrosse sticks.

 At 11 a.m., a Zumba class was held in front of the stage. For a $10 donation the crowd was able to learn Zumba from several instructors.  It was a very popular event with over 100 people dancing for 80 minutes straight.  

Brett Smith wanted to give thanks to the 44 sponsors who made the event possible. Places like Girtain Signs (printed the signs for the event), Ocean First Bank, Auto Land Car Dealers from Springfield and Prima Builders, a big supporter of North lacrosse.

Smith also gave thanks to the Toms River Regional Schools Central Administration and Board of Education, both of whom stood behind the cause.