Fire Department Gives Back to Community

WEST WILDWOOD – “Reverse 911” got a new meaning when the West Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department was asked to adopt a family for Christmas. They gave back to the community by providing a local family with toys, clothing and food for Christmas.
“One of our families was unable to help take care of this family as they have done over the past six years,” said John Lynch, a Wildwood resident who runs “The Lynch who Stole Christmas from the GrYnch” program. “I learned of it rather late, and was at an event where I saw Bill Cripps, the West Wildwood fire chief. I approached him and had gotten through half of my spiel when he said ‘Yes! Awesome, consider it done.’ They were so happy to help a family in the borough.”
For the past six years, Lynch and numerous businesses and volunteers have provided for about 500 children across 130 families. On Christmas Eve, they deliver food, clothing and toys from Santa.
“My wife and I adopted a couple of families a few years ago, and then some of our friends wanted to adopt a few families. I soon realized there were a lot of families who were not opening presents on Christmas because they could not afford to. So I started the GrYnch program and we’ve grown from 87 families the first year to about 130 today,” Lynch said.
“It’s our first time adopting a family,” said Cripps. He, several members of the fire department and the ladies auxiliary of Wildwood bought toys, food and clothing for a family of six – dad, five sons and a daughter. “We are so happy to help out this family. Our goal is to give back to our community. This gives us a chance.”
The West Wildwood Fire Department consists of about 18 active members who respond to about 60-65 fire incidents a year, perform as fire police or respond to mutual aid calls across the county when needed. There are about a dozen life members who respond to non-emergency activities such as fundraising. About 20 women belong to the auxiliary, he said, who help “keep the firemen going, raise funds and help with donations.”
“The reason this works is because of the generosity and compassion from those who call Cape May County home,” said Lynch about the GrYnch program. “Without them, we would not have the donations, toys and funds to help provide for some 500 children. This is what makes South Jersey so awesome!”
Lynch said most of the families his group provides for are in the four municipalities that make up the Wildwoods, but there a few families from Lower and Middle Township. He is director of sales and entertainment for the Wildwood Convention Center, and also runs a program called Lunch with Lynch (www.LunchwithLynch.com), which partners with the schools year-round.
“I love the feel of this community, especially in the winter,” Lynch said. He moved to the Wildwoods from Georgia in 1987, met his wife who is from the area, and said, “This became my home. Everyone really does care about helping take care of each other.”
As an example, he recalled a phone call he received from an employee who works at the Acme in Wildwood. “We would help provide toys to the part-time workers there. I just got a call today from one of their workers, who said the crew wanted to give a cash donation to help others.
“It’s things like this that just keep us going,” he said. “We couldn’t do it without the generosity of this community. It is strictly a grassroots organization.”
For more details about the program, visit www.MerryLynchmas.com.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.