Stop Kendall Park Man from Skydiving for 92nd Birthday

Cake and a rousing sing-along of Happy Birthday? 

Aaron Rosloff craves not these things.

Nope, what Rosloff really wants for his upcoming 92nd birthday is to jump 13,000-feet from a perfectly good airplane, as he has done the last two years, while raising thousands of dollars for the South Brunswick Food Pantry.

Problem is, his family and friends are determined to prevent this from happening after Rosloff broke his ankle during last year's jump. As a result, B'Nai Tikvah has begun a fundraising drive called "Stop Aaron," to raise enough money for the pantry to prevent Rosloff from skydiving.

"This is not my idea. I was planning to jump again," Rosloff said with a laugh. "But a couple of months ago, I was talking about getting the publicity started for the fundraiser and (a rabbi at Congregation B'Nai Tikvah) said I'll contribute $200 if you don't jump. So I was looking forward to it, but I said if you raise $3,000 then I'll give it up and add $1,000 to it."

A veteran of World War II, Rosloff served as crew chief for a maintenance crew in the Air Force, but never got a chance to jump out of an airplane. After seeing former President George Bush skydive at the age of 80-years-old, Rosloff was set on the idea.

As a longtime volunteer for local community groups, Rosloff decided to try and turn his birthday into a means to aid the less fortunate by raising money for the township food pantry. The first "Aaron's Jump" event raised about $2,000, while last year's jump raised over $3,600 for the pantry.

But last year, prompting concern from his loved ones.

"If the wind is carrying you, then you have to keep your legs extended until it slows down enough," Rosloff said. "The first time I came straight down and the landing was so gradual, I hardly felt it. The second time I was still going forward as I looked down to see my son and other friends waving at me. I forgot the rule and dropped my right foot, which got twisted under me. So if I jump again, I'm not going to step like that again. I may be getting old, but I'm not completely stupid."

Rosloff's injury should've kept him immobile for two months. But in typical Rosloff fashion, he was back on his feet in six weeks.

"I was already back to doing jumping jacks and push-ups," Rosloff said. "For a guy my age I amaze myself sometimes. Of course, I don't plan on breaking my ankle again."

Rosloff's birthday is July 3, as B'Nai Tikvah has already started the drive among congregants to send donations to the pantry for the appropriately titled fundraiser "Stop Aaron," throughout May and June.

As successful as the recent "Challenge to Fight Hunger" was for the pantry, with a total of $55,187 in monetary donations, and 30,875 food items donated, Social Services is still seeing record high numbers of residents in need of assistance. Last month, the department saw 76 township families come in for help, the second highest total ever in South Brunswick.

As a result, the altruism of residents like Rosloff is still vital to the community. 

"Aaron Rosloff is a determined gentleman who has a strong desire to help those less fortunate than himself," said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. "He wanted to jump again, even after enduring a broken ankle and weeks of not being able to get around while doing physical therapy. As much as we appreciate his desire to help, we are thrilled that B’Nai Tikvah has decided to pursue the fundraiser for Aaron to not jump. We hope to continue Aaron’s Jump fundraiser for years to come."

Anyone interested in donating to "Stop Aaron" can make checks payable to: "South Brunswick Human Intervention Trust," with "Aaron's Jump" on the memo line, and mail to: South Brunswick Township, PO Box 190, Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852 Att: LouAnne Wolf. Or you can donate online.

"I guess I've got more friends than I thought, and this seems to have taken on a life of its own," Rosloff said. "If they don't come up with the money then I'll make my jump. But if they do raise ($3,000), then I guess ethically I'll have to keep my feet on the ground."