Linda Bickel Grassi, raised in Wildwood Crest and a graduate of Wildwood High School, was a Glenwood Avenue Elementary School teacher in Wildwood, NJ for 20 years. She was a happy, funny person who was always smiling, fondly known to everyone as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.
When diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Linda had to travel to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York for treatment. Her close friends and co-workers came together to raise funds to help defray the enormous costs of her treatment and the ancillary expenses. They mostly raised money for Linda’s travel costs – tolls, gas, hotel costs and food expenses, things that can eat into someone’s budget unknowingly.
Sadly, Linda lost her battle with cancer in May of 1994 at the age of 46, but her close friends and co-workers decided that the love and concern for Linda should live on to help other cancer patients in Cape May County. To do this, they created the Love of Linda Cancer Fund, Inc., established in 1994.
Although Love of Linda started with assisting just three patients during its first year of inception, the organization has since then assisted over 2,500 cancer patients in Cape May County and disbursed over $1.6 million to assist with these patients’ ancillary expenses.
“Other organizations pay for bills, but we don’t,” said Margaret Clark, Love of Linda Treasurer. Love of Linda helps patients pay non-medical related expenses that still affect their budget, allowing patients to put more money toward their medical expenses. Patients don’t need to provide any financial information to receive help. They just have to live in Cape May County and have ongoing treatment, and it doesn’t matter where they’re going for treatment. Margaret shared that recently, Love of Linda helped a cancer patient purchase a new hot water heater.
Margaret also shared how grateful and amazed people always are no matter what amount of money Love of Linda donates to them. “They can’t believe there are strangers out there that are helping them through this,” she said.
Love of Linda is mostly supported by planned fundraising activities throughout the year. This year’s fundraising efforts started back in February with the annual Hope Community Cancer Center Hope Music Fest at Yesterday’s in Marmora, complete with beer, wine and food. All proceeds went to Gilda’s Club of South Jersey and the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
Just a month later in March, Love of Linda held its annual Spaghetti Dinner at the Bayview Inn in Wildwood Crest. Attendees enjoyed a pasta buffet with meatballs, Caesar salads and homemade desserts. The event was a huge success.
In May, Love of Linda and another non-profit, Lunch with Lynch, held their 2nd Annual Pancakes and Eggs Community Unity Breakfast at Surfside West Diner in Wildwood. The pancake breakfast benefitted both organizations and ended up with a great turnout. Love of Linda raised just over $3,200 from the event, including a generous $2,500 donation from the Cape May County Fireman’s Association.
A few months later in August, Love of Linda hosted its 3rd Annual FUNdraiser at the Club at Diamond Beach in Wildwood Crest. Event attendees enjoyed the sand, surf and sounds of the Might Parrot Band. The evening of summer fun also included a 50/50 and raffle prizes. The support of businesses, individuals and the community for this event was overwhelming. A portion of the proceeds went to the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
A second event in August – The 8th Annual Flower Power Golf Tournament – benefitted the Love of Linda Cancer Fund as well as other local cancer organizations. Held at the Avalon Golf Club, the event was in memory of Cheryl Carey, a former Golf Club employee.
Love of Linda’s most recent fundraising event was the Black Sheep Motorcycle Club’s 11th Annual Beef ‘n Beer held on October 11 at Menz’s Restaurant in Rio Grande on. Attendees enjoyed live entertainment, door prices, a 50/50 and Chinese auctions. All proceeds went to the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
On November 28, Love of Linda Cancer will hold its next fundraising event. The Rock Against Cancer benefit concert at the Bayview in Wildwood Crest will feature live entertainment by the Rollers, Willi Rocket Band, Fresh Fire, Loud N’ Klear and Gastonia. Tickets are $20 and include buffet and one free drink (well drink, wine or beer). Tickets can be purchased at the door, by calling (609) 602-0787 or (609) 729-0456, or by visiting www.loveoflinda.org/contribute. All proceeds will benefit the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
Although Love of Linda is mostly locals doing for locals, its fundraising efforts are reaching beyond Cape May County. Lizzy’s Ice Cream Shop in Greencastle, PA recently held a Sundae Ice Cream Fundraiser benefiting the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
As you can see, the Love of Linda team never rests, and their continuous efforts in memory of Linda help numerous Cape May County cancer patients year after year.
Love of Linda would like to thank the following donors who represent over $35,000 in the last 12 months:
• Hope Music Fest
• Black Sheep Motor Cycle Club
• Heaven’s Helpers, Inc.
• Kindle Auto Plaza
• Flower Power Golf Tournament
• Pembrook Farm, LLC
• Cape May County Fireman’s Association
• Susie Q
• Diamond Beach Club, Inc.
• Marcellina Inc .
• Lizzy’s Ice Cream Shop–Sundae Ice Cream Fundraiser
Dennisville – As a parent of a Tech student it would be great if the school would update their staff directory. So many old staff still listed and no new teachers listed. What gives?
