Ocean City Carries on Dr. King's "Dream" During Community Ceremony

Ocean City “kept the dream alive” by remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in an emotional community ceremony Saturday celebrating the life and legacy of the national civil rights leader.

In a poignant moment, about 200 people of all ages symbolically joined hands in the auditorium of the Ocean City Tabernacle during soloist Alicia Gadson’s rousing rendition of “Amazing Grace” while accompanied by pianist Durrell Rose.

The hour-long ceremony honored Dr. King with famous quotes, songs, essays by local students and a videotaped recitation of his epic 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech performed by Rev. Gregory Johnson.

 Mayor Jay Gillian spoke of Dr. King’s fellowship and compassion, especially for those in need of a helping hand from the community. He said Ocean City reflects Dr. King’s legacy of community togetherness.

“Dr. King said, ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.’ That quote from Dr. King is a reminder that people can come from different backgrounds but share common goals. That message is what I want to talk about today: Coming together to help each other. It is a part of what makes Ocean City special. In times of need, our community has always set differences aside and worked together to help their neighbors,” Gillian said.

    Members of the audience join hands in a show of unity.
  

Each year, Ocean City recognizes volunteers and influential members of the community with the Martin Luther King Community Service Award. Recipients this year included Rev. Paul C. Jerkins, Cathy DiMarco and the Ocean City Ecumenical Council in memory of Regina Ralston.

Rev. Jerkins, DiMarco and the Ecumenical Council were also presented with state and county proclamations from Assemblyman Antwan McClellan and Cape May County Commissioner Bob Barr, both of whom live in Ocean City.

Rev. Jerkins recently completed his 10th year as pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church. Gillian praised Jerkins for his community involvement, as well as his efforts to upgrade and update a church that has been a part of Ocean City since 1912.

“You know, over the last 10 years, this journey has been filled with a lot of joy and a lot of emotions, but it’s also been filled with struggles. And you know one thing about struggles, it makes things more worthwhile. When you have something to work for and earn it, it makes a really, really big difference,” Rev. Jerkins said while thanking everyone for his award.

    Mayor Jay Gillian presents Rev. Paul C. Jerkins of the Shiloh Baptist Church with his award.
  

DiMarco is a leader and fundraiser for the local chapter of the Sunshine Foundation, which grants the wishes of students with developmental, emotional or family income issues by sending them on their dream trips.

She is also a volunteer with the PTA and Ocean City Education Foundation and has worked for 10 years with the Companions of Pauline, a Christian charity. She is also vice president of the Ocean City’s Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary.

“You are a picture of kindness,” Barr told DiMarco while presenting her with her county proclamation.

DiMarco thanked her family, friends and fellow volunteers for “always supporting my adventures and endeavors” as part of her volunteering efforts in the community.

“It is such an honor to receive this award, especially from the people I respect so deeply and in the name of such a prominent figure, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His life and legacy were built on peace, service and the unwavering belief in the power of the community. It is important to know that the work we do is never done alone. I share this honor with my dedicated volunteers and supporters who make everything possible,” DiMarco said.

    Cathy DiMarco is presented with proclamations from Cape May County Commissioner Bob Barr and state Assemblyman Antwan McClellan.
  

The ceremony took an emotional turn when Regina Ralston and the Ocean City Ecumenical Council were honored. Ralston, who died last year, served as vice president of the Ecumenical Council and managed the council’s Food Cupboard, which collects food and supplies for people in need.

“Regina was a pillar of the Ocean City Community. We love her. We miss her,” Barr said.

Gillian expressed hope that the community will honor Ralston’s memory by continuing her passion for helping people by organizing food drives every year.

“I hope we can continue every year in her honor to do a great food drive and work hard to keep Regina’s name going, because it’s somebody that we don’t want to forget,” Gillian said.

Representing the Ecumenical Council was Jane French, a recipient of the Martin Luther King Community Service Award in 2024. Members of Ralston’s family also attended the ceremony, including her husband, Bob, her sister, Monica DeDad, and her brother, Bob Interrante.

DeDad flew in from her home in Toledo, Ohio, to attend the ceremony and help honor her sister.

“She would say it would all be about the volunteers and the way they supported her. She loved this community,” DeDad said of her sister’s kindness.

Lucille Worley, a former president of the Ecumenical Council, called Ralston “a spectacular” woman who was deeply loved by her fellow volunteers.

    Monica DeDad accepts a state proclamation in honor of her late sister, Regina Ralston, from Assemblyman Antwan McClellan while Jane French watches.
  

Another part of the ceremony was the recognition of four Ocean City Intermediate School students who were the winners of essays written in honor of Dr. King. They included eighth graders Ava Clevenger and Darrien Mayo and seventh graders Jane Heng and Grace Kane.

Reading from their essays, the students noted how Dr. King used peaceful methods to fight against racism and injustice while promoting his vision for equality in America.

“Dr. King was a perfect model of nonviolent activism,” Jane Heng said.

Grace Kane called Dr. King “a visionary for peace.”

Darrien Mayo said Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech has inspired him and other people of color to pursue their own dreams.

“This dream would be a very hard accomplishment. But like Dr. King, I can believe in myself and work hard and do the best that I can, like he did,” Darrien said, while telling the audience his dream is to play professional baseball.

The students also said Dr. King continues to inspire new generations of millions of Americans, nearly 60 years after his assassination in 1968.

“Dr. King’s leadership also showed people never to give up when the struggle seemed impossible,” Ava Clevenger said.

    From left, the winners of the student essays are seventh graders Grace Kane and Jane Heng and eighth graders Ava Clevenger and Darrien Mayo.

    A community buffet luncheon is held at the Ocean City Tabernacle after the ceremony.