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Cape May County's SOCS Keeps Every Dollar Local in the Fight Against Cancer

Issue #750

July 18, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

💝Cape May County's SOCS Keeps Every Dollar Local in the Fight Against Cancer

🗽Cape May Stage Presents U.S.A. as Part of Anniversary Reading Series

🛟Wildwood Beach to Host Military-Inspired Endurance Competition

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 July 18

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Cape May County's SOCS Keeps Every Dollar Local in the Fight Against Cancer

 During Saturday's Anglesea Blues Festival in North Wildwood, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the work of Survivors of Cancer (SOCS) at the organization's booth along Vendor Row. Event Coordinator Linda Biles, who has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and has volunteered with SOCS for the past 12 years, shared information about the organization's ongoing commitment to helping local residents battling cancer.

Founded in the spring of 2002 through the vision of Jimmy Kane, former owner of the Red Garter Bar in North Wildwood, SOCS was created to provide financial assistance and support to Cape May County residents undergoing cancer treatment. Backed by cancer survivors, their families, friends, and a caring community, the organization expanded rapidly and became officially incorporated in 2007.

Over the past two decades, SOCS has raised approximately $2 million and has provided financial assistance to more than 2,000 Cape May County residents as they underwent cancer treatment. Every dollar raised remains in Cape May County, directly benefiting local patients. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers, with no salaried employees, allowing donations to have the greatest possible impact.

The mission of SOCS is to assist Cape May County residents receiving chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy by helping ease the financial burden associated with treatment. Assistance is available to full-time county residents with a Cape May County mailing address. Referrals are made to SOC by the various healthcare providers in the region, like Cooper Medical, or by word of mouth.

The organization is governed by a 23-member volunteer committee that meets regularly to review applications for assistance. Each request is carefully evaluated before funding is approved. SOCS is led by a five-member board consisting of a president, vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, and treasurer, while an event coordinator, Biles, oversees the organization's fundraising efforts.

Recipients generally receive a monetary gift to help ease the financial burden of ongoing cancer treatment. Depending on available funding and continued need, additional assistance may be provided as treatment progresses, thanks to the ongoing support of the community.

SOCS relies entirely on fundraising events and donations to sustain its mission. Among its signature events is the annual Barbecue and Blues fundraiser, along with a major fundraising event at the Bolero Resort in Wildwood. This year, the Bolero fundraiser has been moved from the summer to October in an effort to boost attendance by avoiding the peak beach season, vacation schedules, and parking challenges. Other business in the area have also contributed in a big way in the past, like The Anglesea Pub’s successful ‘Soup and Sandwich’ event last year.

The Bolero event will feature four hours of live entertainment from the Cry Babies, Bittersweet, and a string band, along with a continuous buffet prepared by the resort that includes favorites such as meatballs, pizza, pasta salad, draft beer, soda, and house wine.

As SOCS continues its mission, the organization remains dedicated to ensuring that local cancer patients receive meaningful financial assistance during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Through volunteer service, community partnerships, and successful fundraising events, SOCS continues to make a lasting difference for families throughout Cape May County. Any information about volunteer opportunities or how to make a donation is available on their website https://survivorsofcancerinc.org/

Cape May Stage Presents U.S.A. as Part of Anniversary Reading Series

 Cape May Stage will present a special dramatic reading of U.S.A. on Monday, July 20, at 7 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse as part of its Reading Series and in recognition of America's 250th anniversary.

Adapted by Paul Shyre from John Dos Passos' acclaimed U.S.A. trilogy, the production explores the social, political, and cultural landscape of early 20th-century America through an innovative blend of interconnected stories, newspaper headlines, music, and multiple character voices.

The reading offers audiences a theatrical portrait of a nation undergoing rapid change, examining themes of ambition, opportunity, conflict, and identity that continue to resonate today. The production reflects on the evolving American experience while highlighting both the nation's achievements and its enduring challenges.

The performance will run approximately two hours, including an intermission, at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse in Cape May.

Wildwood Beach to Host Military-Inspired Endurance Competition

Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and families will gather on the beach at Lincoln Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 9, for the ninth annual Wildwood Navy SEAL Challenge, an endurance competition that combines ocean swimming, beach running, and military-inspired obstacle course challenges.

Hosted by the Wildwood Beach Patrol, Even Kiel Racing, and the Wildwood Beach Patrol Alumni Foundation, the event is designed to test participants' strength, endurance, teamwork, and determination in a demanding beach environment.

The competition begins with registration and check-in at 4 p.m. The Kids Challenge gets underway at 6 p.m., followed by the individual, team, and land-only events at 6:30 p.m.

Participants can choose from four race formats. The Individual Challenge features a one-mile ocean swim, a 5K beach run, and a large obstacle course with sand hills and water crossings. The four-person Team Challenge follows the same course but requires teammates to remain together while carrying a heavy pipe through the obstacles. Those who prefer to stay on land can enter the Land Run Only Challenge, which includes the 5K and obstacle course without the swim. A modified Kids Run Challenge offers younger competitors an age-appropriate obstacle experience.

The obstacle course, recognized as one of the largest beach obstacle courses in New Jersey, includes soft sand sprints, steep sand hills, shallow water crossings, and fitness stations featuring bodyweight and weighted exercises that challenge both physical conditioning and mental resilience.

Registration remains open, for select team categories. Additional event information and registration are available at wildwoodseal.com.

Which historic Cape May hotel, built in 1876, is known for being the oldest continuously operating hotel in the city?

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 Answer to the July 17th Trivia Question

What major environmental event is Cape May known for that draws attention from naturalists each year?

A) Monarch butterfly migration
B) Sea turtle nesting
C) Grunion runs
D) Whale migrations

Answer: A) Monarch butterfly migration

Cape May is a significant stopover for monarch butterflies during their annual migration to Mexico in the fall. The area's geography funnels the butterflies into the southern tip of New Jersey, making it one of the best places to witness this natural phenomenon.​

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