One man’s changed plans turned into another man’s good fortune, and in turn, a group devoted to helping youth in Warren County became the beneficiary of a $500 donation. 

Peter Kromer of SASCO Insurance Services Inc. in Hackettstown had a pair of tickets for this year’s Indy 500 Memorial Day Weekend. But his plans changed and he couldn’t use them. He called his good friend Norman Worth at WRNJ Radio and told Worth to make an announcement on the radio that the tickets were available to someone who wanted them.  

This year’s Indy 500 had special meaning because the ultimate race was celebrating its 100th anniversary. So tickets, hard to come by anyway, were especially hard this year.  

Worth and Kromer went back and forth a bit and decided to hold a first-come first-serve auction on air with DJ Russ Long making the announcement. The proceeds would go to the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities, based in Warren County. The group is dedicated to helping youth stay drug and alcohol free.  

It just so happens that WCBS News personality Wayne Cabot, who lives in Glen Gardner, had wanted to take his son to the Indy race, if not this year, then another time. Listening to WRNJ, Cabot heard the announcement and immediately responded with a $500 donation for the tickets. 

“Everybody was a winner,” said Worth, who surprised the Coalition with an announcement at a community event that was being held that very same night.

“We feel like we won the lottery,” exclaimed Mary Jo Harris, Coalition Coordinator. “As a non-profit program of the Family Guidance Center, our funds are limited so while this might not seem like a lot of money to some, it will help tremendously and will be put to good use. 

“We are so thankful for Peter Kromer and Norman Worth, WRNJ, and Wayne Cabot,” continued Harris. “The $500 supports our mission to provide youth with positive influences in their lives.” 

The four human pieces to this pleasant puzzle were recently able to come together for the check donation.