By MADDY VITALE
What started out as a post on a Facebook forum asking the community to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic, grew into a major fundraising effort in Sea Isle City that in a week’s time has already raised thousands of dollars.
“The unbelievable part of the pandemic is that it is bringing people together,” explained Andrea Ritter, a Wallingford, Pa., resident and second homeowner in Sea Isle.
The married mother of three began the “informal” fundraiser, as she described it in an interview Wednesday, with one simple post asking any and all concerned residents and second homeowners if they would like to help out first responders and others on the front lines, as well as people who lost their jobs, with donations.
Ritter said the idea may have started with her, but the realtor by trade and three other women, Abby Powell, Colleen Buch and Kelly Blum, went to work.
“I had the idea to bring the first and second homeowners together for one common goal. People started throwing ideas out to help the unemployed and small businesses,” Ritter explained. “I am very appreciative of all of the people who stepped up. It was my idea, but I couldn’t have done it all on my own.”
So far, they have collected nearly $5,000. People may go through Venmo to donate. Venmo is a mobile payment service owned by PayPal. Venmo account holders can transfer funds to others via a mobile phone app.
The group, which calls itself “Sea Isle Strong,” raised funds to pay local restaurants for meals that were delivered to the city’s police, fire, EMS and Public Works departments, among other areas where there are essential workers and businesses in town.
Members of Sea Isle’s Police Department wrote on their Facebook page:
“We greatly appreciate the support and recognizing our teams effort on the front lines of this battle. Another reason why we are all blessed to work in such a great town!!”
Another rewarding aspect of the donations is that many donors from throughout the community are helping to fight hunger.
Ritter’s husband, Steve and son, also named Steve, have all pitched in. Their other children, Felicia and Anna, are also involved.
Andrea and her son, Steve, went on a big Acme trip to purchase more than $800 of groceries to deliver to Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid for the food pantry at the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church.
Ritter noted that the fundraising will continue to help those in need and to give thanks to the workers from emergency personnel to grocery store clerks working amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has been just a week, yet Ritter still is astounded by the generosity of those in the community willing to offer support.
“We are absolutely amazed and touched,” she said. “I cried happy tears the other day. This is a stressful time for everyone. You are stuck in the house. I was seeing so much sadness. Now I feel there is a tone of happiness, of hopefulness, of gratefulness. I really feel everyone came together.”
Friendships have been forged during a difficult and unprecedented time in history, Ritter added.
Powell and Ritter did not know each other until Ritter’s post on Facebook.
“She stepped up and offered to help,” Ritter said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate Abby. I feel like I have known her for 20 years.”
Powell, who is the president of the Sea Isle City Historical Museum and co-director of the city’s successful Beachcombing Tours program, joined in to become instrumental in the drive.
Powell helps out by making phone calls to restaurants and essential businesses to ask how much they need. They even provide tip money for the out-of-work waiters and waitresses.
“I think I was one of the first few comments on Facebook after she made the post,” Powell said. “I said if you need anything, I am there. It is how we bonded.”
Powell is used to being busy running the museum and working on its displays. Also at this time of year, she would normally be preparing for the beachcombing tours. However, the museum and beaches remain closed during the pandemic.
“I sat for three weeks thinking, ‘What can I do?’ I could give money, but I wanted to do something more,” Powell said.
“All it took was one person’s post on Facebook,” Powell pointed out. “People want to get involved. The people who are donating are so appreciative too for what we are able to do with the money. I think a lot of people want to give. No donation is too small.”
To donate through Venmo go to @AndreaRitter11.
