Four Sports Legends to Appear at July 11th Event in Support of Freehold Area Open Door
Peter Grandich & Company is proud to announce that it will sponsor the appearance of four celebrated sports figures at Freehold Township Day on Saturday, July 11th. Hosted at Michael J. Tighe Park, the event is held annually by the Veterans Community Alliance, a grassroots 501(c)3 whose mission is to improve the lives of veterans and their families, with 100% of proceeds going directly toward assisting veterans in need.
Joining the festivities will be Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Klecko, NFL veteran Ray Lucas, three-time Stanley Cup champion Ken Daneyko, and two-time Super Bowl champion Sean Landeta, four names that defined winning in the New York–New Jersey sports market for decades.
“As a Freehold Township resident and a supporter of Freehold Open Door, I am delighted to provide as part of the day’s celebration, four good friends of mine from my days of working with professional athletes,” said Peter Grandich. “Freehold Area Open Door has become very dear to my wife and my heart, and I hope other neighbors can learn more about them by having these celebrities appear at their booth.”
Joe Klecko will serve as a celebrity judge for the event’s beloved “Don’t Forget the Vets” Classic Car Show, where he will present a special award to his personal favorite vehicle and greet fans throughout the day. Klecko, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023, was the anchor of the New York Jets’ fearsome “Sack Exchange” defensive line of the 1980s. A 12-year NFL veteran, he is the only player in league history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at three separate positions on the defensive line (end, tackle, and nose tackle). His no. 73 jersey is one of only three numbers retired in Jets franchise history. Klecko will be on-site from 4 PM to 6 PM.
Ray Lucas, Ken Daneyko, and Sean Landeta will greet fans during the event at the Freehold Area Open Door booth, where attendees are welcome to bring items for autographs and take photos (all at no charge). Those who stop by can also enter a drawing for signed sports memorabilia from the appearing celebrities.
A Harrison native and Rutgers University standout, Ray Lucas is one of New Jersey’s own. After an undrafted journey that included four years with the New York Jets, Lucas played seven seasons in the NFL. He was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and has since become a respected voice in both broadcasting and community advocacy. Lucas will be at the Freehold Area Open Door booth from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Ken Daneyko needs little introduction to anyone from any hockey fan in New Jersey. Nicknamed “Mr. Devil,” Daneyko spent his entire 20-season NHL career in New Jersey, skating in a franchise-record 1,283 games and earning three Stanley Cup championship rings (1995, 2000, 2003). Awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2000 for perseverance and dedication to the game, Daneyko’s no. 3 was retired by the Devils in 2006. He remains connected to the franchise today as a color analyst for Devils broadcasts. Daneyko will be at the Freehold Area Open Door booth from 6 PM to 8 PM.
A two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, Sean Landeta is widely regarded as one of the greatest punters in NFL history. His booming leg helped anchor Bill Parcells’ championship squads, earning rings in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV. A member of both the NFL’s 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Teams as selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Landeta played 22 seasons, the longest tenure of any punter in NFL history, and was named to ESPN’s list of 50 All-Time Greatest New York Giants players. He will be at the Freehold Area Open Door booth from 7 PM to 9 PM.
The celebrities’ appearance at the Freehold Area Open Door booth shines a welcome spotlight on an organization that has quietly served the community for nearly four decades. Founded in 1987, Freehold Area Open Door is a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing essential food assistance, rental and housing support, after-school programming, a birthday bag program, Thanksgiving dinner distribution, and a Christmas gift program to families in need throughout the Freehold area.
“Freehold Township Day is such a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and purpose. We are incredibly grateful to Peter Grandich, the athletes, supporters, and everyone involved in making this event possible, and to everyone who believes in the mission of Freehold Area Open Door,” said Geralyn Fraggetta-Drury, Executive Director of Freehold Area Open Door. “Every day, we meet neighbors facing difficult challenges — families struggling with food insecurity, rising housing and utility costs, transportation barriers, and uncertainty about where to turn next. At Freehold Area Open Door, we do more than provide food. We connect people with resources, advocacy, support, dignity, and hope. Our new space represents more than a building; it represents new beginnings, opportunity, and a place where people know they are welcomed and cared for.
“This is not simply a time of need — it is a time of rebuilding, connection, and community, standing together to make sure no one has to face hardship alone. We are deeply thankful to everyone who continues to help us ‘Be The One’ for our neighbors.”
Freehold Area Open Door is located at 80 Throckmorton Street in Freehold, New Jersey, and the organization can be reached directly at (732) 780-1089.
Freehold Township Day is free and open to the public. Michael J. Tighe Park is located at 65 Georgia Road in Freehold Township. For more information about the celebrity appearances, contact Peter Grandich at peter@petergrandich.com.
About Peter Grandich and Company
Peter Grandich and Company provides business, retirement and estate planning services to individuals and business owners. Through a strategic alliance with York-Jersey Underwriters, the company offers professional advice and risk management services to business and personal insurance clients.
To hear more about Peter Grandich and Company, call (732) 642-3992 to schedule a consultation today.
About Freehold Area Open Door
Freehold Area Open Door is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been serving the Freehold community since 1987. Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, FAOD provides food assistance, housing security support, and educational and seasonal programs to individuals and families in need. For more information, visit them online.
About the Veterans Community Alliance
The Veterans Community Alliance is a grassroots 501(c)3 dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families. One hundred percent of proceeds from Freehold Township Day go toward assisting honorable veterans in need of financial assistance, including scholarships, career training grants, home improvements, and help with essential expenses. For more information, visit them online.
