By Nick Buglione
When the family first moved to East Meadow two years ago, they couldn't catch a break. In a tearful interview with the Herald, Kellyjon told of her heart condition, Scott's stroke, her recent leukemia diagnosis, the car accident that could have ended her husband's life and the thousands of dollars in repairs they've had to pour into their new home.
With Kellyjon and Scott out of work for health-related reasons, $415 left in their bank account, and myriad bills looming, the family thought their days were numbered. Until the East Meadow community stepped in.
"You're really seeing East Meadow at its best," said Alan Hodish, president of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and member of the East Meadow Kiwanis. "The community is coming to the aid of this family."
After learning of the Fritzen family's plight, Hodish began organizing relief efforts. The chamber and Kiwanis both cut checks for $500 to help the Fritzens' finances. Hodish said that he's received about 10 calls for donations and four checks already. About $2,000 has been collected for the family overall, he said.
"Helping a family in a critical time of need is what Kiwanis is all about," said Mitchell Skoller, East Meadow Kiwanis president. "If you hear this [story], you have to help. You don't want to see anyone drown."
Shortly after the front-page story's publication, Kellyjon said that a woman, who identified herself only as Vicki, knocked on her door and handed Scott a $300 money order. "I opened the envelope and I started to cry," Kellyjon said. "I was overwhelmed. The people in this community are very giving."
That money order, together with the checks from the chamber and Kiwanis, helped the family square their December mortgage payment.
And the acts of kindness didn't stop there. Walter Skinner, of Allstate Insurance in East Meadow, offered to have his company pay the family's car insurance for the year, though the Fritzens turned him down.
A woman from Massachusetts, in town visiting her mother when she read the Herald article, bought Ben a new pair of shoes. Calvary Lutheran Church dropped off some food and offered to give the Fritzens a Christmas tree. St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church has also been in contact with the family, Kellyjon said.
Scott also recently received his first worker's compensation check, thanks to the efforts of a lawyer Hodish referred him to. Scott, who was in a serious car accident in October and has been out of work ever since, had applied for worker's compensation but had hit a few snags along the way.
Meanwhile, town Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown) said his office has reached out to the Fritzens and is trying to help expedite Kellyjon's application for Social Security. Hudes also got the Division Avenue Deli in Levittown to cook and deliver the family a Thanksgiving dinner.
Despite the outpouring of support, the family still faces a hard road ahead. Kellyjon is still grappling with leukemia and is scheduled for another round of chemotherapy in January. Since she has been out of work for months, she was recently taken off her job's payroll and lost her medical benefits, which cover the entire family. She must now pay a $785 monthly premium to keep the benefits, though she's applied to have the fee waived.
While they spoke to a representative of the Nassau County Department of Social Services, the family has also learned they do not qualify for any services. "A family of three has to make less than $806 a month to qualify for social services," Kellyjon said the representative told her.
Hodish said the chamber and Kiwanis are organizing a garage sale fund-raiser for the family, which will likely take place after the holidays. "I spoke to the fire department and the school system," Hodish said. "We'll either have it at the school or at the fire department's headquarters."
Floored by the community's kindness, Kellyjon said she's interested in joining the Chamber of Commerce or Kiwanis so she can one day give back to East Meadow. "When I'm better and I can do things, I want to help others," Kellyjon said. "I definitely want to help."
A helping hand
The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce is collecting donations for the Fritzen family. Those who wish to make donations should make checks payable to the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and mail them to the Law Offices of Alan Hodish, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, N.Y. 11530.
