Montgomery Township Committee Candidate Ed Sherman Heads to Louisiana to Assist Hurricane Katrina Victims

Belle Meade, NJ – Some people talk about leadership. Others actually lead. Montgomery Township resident Ed Sherman is among the latter. When the American Red Cross sent out an urgent request for volunteers with disaster training for assignments up to three weeks in the Gulf Coast states, the former Marine and Nissan executive immediately answered the call – even though it meant taking a break from his campaign to join the Montgomery Township Council.

Sherman departed for New Orleans
for a three-week stint with the Red Cross. He will provide assistance to hurricane victims, help with clean up efforts, and provide much needed leadership among volunteers.

Although he is still actively pursuing a seat on the Montgomery Township Council, Sherman stated that he believes the citizens of the township will understand his decision to take time off from his campaign to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“This is an unprecedented time of crisis in an area of our country,” Sherman said, “Those of us who have the time and ability to make a difference need to do so. Having served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam, I have the background and experience to work under extraordinary conditions like those in the New Orleans area right now. I feel obligated to lend my support to help others in a time of need.

"I hope others who have the ability to give their time and energy to helping the Red Cross at this critical time will do so, or will provide financial support to whatever extent they can.

“I have a good group of campaign volunteers who will continue to support me in my brief absence,” he continued.

Sherman had already demonstrated his interest in helping the Hurricane Katrina victims when he transformed what was to have been a political fundraiser into an event to raise funds for Operation Friends, the collaborative effort between Montgomery Township residents and officials to assist victims of the hurricane. He not only donated proceeds from the event to Operation Friends but also personally matched the donations.

“I’ve known Ed for a long time, and this is just the kind of person he is,” said Kathy Ventresca, his campaign manager. “He always puts others first. The energy, commitment and leadership that Ed is demonstrating right now in his decision to work with the Red Cross at this critical time is exactly what he’ll bring to the Montgomery Township Council.