In support of the Ridenour Family

Steven Ridenour is a 14-year-old student at Toms River Intermediate East, and the son of Steve and Tracy Ridenour who have lived on Pelican Island, NJ for many years.  On Monday, January 6, 2020, Steven was bike riding with a friend in his neighborhood and had an accident with an eighteen-wheeler on Route 37, which cuts through the middle of Pelican Island.

His injuries were so severe that he was airlifted to a local trauma center.  He was sent into surgery immediately where an orthopedic surgeon and a plastic surgeon worked on him simultaneously until late that night.  This is only the first of many surgeries to come.  His face received multiple injuries that will require additional surgeries to repair.  His arm is badly broken, and his clavicle received a pass-through injury when the handlebars of his bike perforated his shoulder and came out through his back.

This family had just been able to breathe again after having their home devastated by Superstorm Sandy.  Not only did they have to live through the rebuild/repair of their home and later have to move out again in order to do the required lifting of their residence, but they dealt with one of the many fraudulent contractors that preyed on homeowners.

Looking forward to a fresh new year, they have now been dealt this blow.  They are thankful that their son is alive.  It could have turned out so very differently but now look forward to a year plus ahead filled with surgeries and trips to multiple physicians and distant medical facilities. One parent will always have to stay with Steven.

Please help this family so their focus can remain on their son’s recovery instead of the financial hardship.