Linda Bickel Grassi, raised in Wildwood Crest and a graduate of Wildwood High School, was a Glenwood Avenue Elementary School teacher in Wildwood 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,” says 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 shares that recently, Love of Linda helped a cancer patient purchase a new hot water heater.
Margaret also explains 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 says.
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 Clancy’s in Somers Point, complete with beer, wine and food. All proceeds went to Gilda’s Club of South Jersey and the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
In August, Love of Linda hosted its 5th Annual FUNdraiser at the Club at Diamond Beach in Wildwood Crest. Event attendees enjoyed the sand, surf and sounds of The Chatterband. The evening of summer fun also included a 50/50 and raffle prizes. A portion of the proceeds went to the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
Love of Linda’s most recent fundraising event was the Black Sheep Motorcycle Club’s 13th Annual Beef ‘n Beer held on Oct. 8 at Menz Restaurant & Bar in Rio Grande. Attendees enjoyed live entertainment, door prizes, a 50/50 and Chinese auctions. All proceeds went to 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.
The Love of Linda family would like to thank the following businesses and organizations who held community fundraisers on behalf of Love of Linda in the past 12 months:
- Black Sheep Motorcycle Club – Beef and Beer
- Cape May Point Civic Club
- Club at Diamond Beach, LLC
- Crest Savings Bank – No Shave November
- Family Aid Fund – Benefit Concert
- Firehouse Tavern – Golf Tournament
- Foglio’s Carpet & Design
- Glenwood Avenue Elementary School – Jeans Day
- Group Destinations Unlimited
- Hair, A Styling Salon
- Hope Community Cancer Center – Hope Music Fest
- Kindle Auto Plaza – Honest Neighbor Community Challenge
- Marcellina Boutique
- Margaret Mace School – Jeans Day
- Nine Salon & Spa – Mother’s Day Walk
- North Wildwood Flea Market
- Pembrook Farm – Horse Show
- Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream – Christmas in July
- Susie Q’s Family Hair Salon – Pretty in Pink Hair Extensions
- Talbots, Inc. – Shopping Event
- United Way of Greater Phila/South Jersey
- Burke Motor Group
In the past year, Love of Linda has raised $17,000 through memorials and $47,000 through miscellaneous donations and community fundraisers, totaling $64,000 dedicated to assisting Cape May County Cancer patients in need.
“Love of Linda would not be able to continue its mission without the support of the individuals and outside organizations that hold fundraisers for us,” says Amy Mahon, Love of Linda President. “For a 20+ year organization, I’m amazed and proud of our longevity, and grateful for the community’s support.”
