The community is coming together as a beloved teacher and mentor recovers from a horrific motor vehicle crash in Hamilton Township.
Steve Bouchard, 66, a lifetime Egg Harbor City resident, was seriously injured last week, when a car crossed the centerline on Tilton Road, and struck his truck head-on near the Atlantic City International Airport.
The passenger in the other vehicle, 30-year-old Shayniyah Reynolds of Atlantic City, died of her injuries.
He remains in the Intensive Care Unit, with a long road to recovery ahead, according to his daughter.
"We have received so many heartfelt messages from our family and friends of my dad and we truly appreciate it," Aimee Bouchard wrote on Facebook. "It has been eye-opening to see how many lives he has touched over his years. I've always known he's an awesome guy, I mean he's my dad, but to see the impact he has made on others is really special."
A GiveInKind page has been set up for him, where people can sign up to make meals for the family, help with things he cannot do or donate money or gift cards.
"Asking you all to dig deep to help this family," wrote Angela Seri Krukauskas, who runs No1Hungry, where Bouchard's wife is a volunteer.
"My guess is that, after years of public service as school teachers, community members, school board members, that these beautiful people have touched your or your children's lives," she wrote. "If you can help them with a gift card or any sort of financial (help) or help with meals and prayers, we would be so grateful for your support."
Bouchard taught in the Greater Egg Harbor School District for 34 years, Aimee Bouchard told BreakingAC. First at Oakcrest High School, then Absegami and then Cedar Creek.
He has continued his service to education, serving on the Egg Harbor City Board of Education for more than 20 years, including as a past president.
He "has always been active in advocating for education and educators," Aimee Bouchard said.
Steve Bouchard has been a spin and fitness instructor for more than 10 years, working at Tilton Fitness, the Jewish Community Center in Margate and The Life Center at AtlantiCare.
"He is an incredibly active person," Aimee Bouchard said of her father. "He's at the gym daily, teaching or just working out. In the summer he spends as much time as he can at the beach or out by his pool. He also spends a lot of time in the kitchen cooking for his family and friends."
She said he also loves visiting with and talking about his two granddaughters.
