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No. 19 Vol. 12
www.mypaperonline.com • 973-809-4784 December 2023
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Randolph First Responders Celebrates the Holidays with the Community
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By Steve Sears he Township of Randolph Rescue Squad, along with the Randolph fire and police departments, are celebrating the holidays with the community. Chris Zelley has been a member of the Randolph Rescue squad since 2017 and now serves as its President. For him and the squad, what is most important is being there for the individual whenever needed. Zelley said, “It is about setting the bar of excellence high and assisting a patient with the level of care you would want for yourself or a family member. This is what it means for most of us: helping others in their time of need while alleviating financial concerns, as we do not bill at all with a smile on our faces. For me personally, I enjoy the ability to interact with members of the community and bring a sense of calm and caring to the community.” Zelley said the Randolph Rescue Squad is in a unique position each year to help members of the community who are often at their sickest and in some of their worst moments, and these occurrences take no time off for the holidays. “There is sometimes even an uptick in medical emergencies during this time of the year,” Zelley claimed. “The members of the squad year after year give up time with their families on these holidays to help people they have never met without ever billing the patient.” In addition to responding to emergencies, Zelley and his team participated in a food drive at the October Food Truck Festival to help bring in nonperishable food for local food banks. He said, “Year after year, it brings in over 500lbs of food that go directly to supporting members of the community. Finally, the squad also participates in education campaigns, as this time of the year can be challenging for patients due to the weather, mental strain, and increased exposure, which all lead to increased patient acuity. These online campaigns increase awareness and inform community members of other resources that exist.” Sgt. Matthew Rispoli is an 18-year veteran of the Randolph Police Department. Rispoli said, “In the past, we have organized winter movie nights and a Coffee with a Cop event in town around the holidays. We also participate in the fire
Members of the Randolph Fire Department and Santa Claus prepare for a Santa Run. Photo courtesy of the Randolph Fire Department.
department’s Trunk or Treat, as well as several Touch a Truck and community day events in town, like the country fair and career fair.” While the Randolph Police Department does not have a holiday-specific event planned for 2023, most of the officers have donated to the Randolph Township PBA 403, who will in turn donate 100% of the proceeds to help a family in need. The Randolph Police Department and its Chief, Michael Vanadia, are now preparing for their December 16 Santa Run, when Santa Claus is transported through town on a fire truck and engages with the township children – and hands out candy canes. “We get our names and faces out there as well,” Vanadia said, “and get ready to celebrate for the for the holiday season. Also, a couple of our fire companies do holiday fundraisers, particularly Fire Company #2 on
Route 10. Their big fundraiser for the year is they sell Christmas trees. Right after Thanksgiving they open. We are 100% volunteer, and each of the firehouses are actually independently owned. Even though we serve as the township, and the town gives us some money for rent and aid, the buildings are privately owned. So, you really have to do the fundraising.” Rispoli said planning events is time-consuming to not only organize, but to also make arrangements for parking, staffing, and food. However, it is all for a great cause. He said, “We have always made it a point to cover all expenses, so the event is completely free for the community. It means a great deal to me and the other officers to give back to this community. We have always felt like we were supported by the Randolph residents, and we want them to know that we are here for them as well.”