Lacey Fundraiser Supports Officer Battling ALS

LACEY, NJ — On the same day that the Ocean County Sheriff’s PBA Local #379 hosted a fundraiser for an officer battling ALS, a young Lacey resident held his own.

Nick DeBenedetto, 12, set up a lemonade stand outside his home on Manchester Avenue on Saturday and Sunday to raise money for Detective Phil Sickinger.

When Nick announced his plans, Lidl in Lanoka Harbor donated the lemons and sugar that he needed. By selling lemonade over the weekend, Nick raised $1,093 for Sickinger and his family.

This was the third lemonade stand that Nick has organized this year. Earlier this year, he raised money for the Lacey-based nonprofit Vetwork and other volunteer organizations in Lacey.

Sickinger, 39, was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2020. He lives in Manahawkin with his wife, Diana, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Harper and 8-year-old Olivia.

The Ocean County Sheriff's PBA Local #379 held a fundraiser for Sickinger on Saturday at the American Legion in Barnegat to raise money for his continued medical expenses and treatment. According to the PBA, Sickinger is a 17-year veteran of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.

A GoFundMe page was started for Sickinger last year, and continues to collect funds to assist him and his family during this difficult time.

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