The Bayville Fire Co. #1 hosted an invitational Old Fashioned Drill on Saturday, Sept. 7, as a benefit to help local community outreach programs as well as helping kids with cancer. The proceeds went to aid the programs of St. Gertrude Church and the Bayville Village Church as well as the Matthew Fetzer Foundation.
“Since our formation in 1922, the Bayville Fire Company’s purpose has been to help our community,” said Michael Parente, president of the fire company. “We feel this goes beyond our traditional role of putting out fires to helping our community wherever possible. With the recent events of Super Storm Sandy and a struggling economy, we offer our assistance this year to our community through our two community churches, so that they can better assist residents in need. Our partnership with the Matthew Fetzer Foundation remains strong and through this event helps children and their families dealing with this terrible disease.”
The Fetzer family of Bayville lost their son, Matthew, to cancer in 2000, when he was just 10 years old.
“Matthew was a fun, kind hearted child who always had a smile,” said Chief Dennis Kelly. “His dream was to collect toys and music/DVDs for children with cancer and to collect money for their families. Matthew fought cancer for seven years, and shortly after his death, his family started the Matthew Fetzer Foundation.”
The Matthew Fetzer Foundation and Matthew’s Holiday Toy Drive is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 that distributes toys, runs parties and provide financial and emotional support to children with cancer. All donations go to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, Maimonides Medical Center, and New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital Children Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Units.
The St. Gertrude outreach program assists those in need of food, baby items, school supplies, and acts as a channel to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for those needing in-depth support.
“We are working to lift up those who are struggling – fighting poverty one person at a time, supporting those facing a crisis, and simply being there when someone calls,” said Rev. David Czeisel of the Village Church of Bayville. “We are here to labor alongside this community as it builds an even better Bayville.”
