Hometown Heroes: Starr Beattes and Christy Flynn
By Cindy Fertsch
Christmas is not always magical. Some children do not understand why Santa brought their classmates gifts, but not them. “Was I bad?” they may ask themselves. Some older children “get it.”
They know there is no money for Christmas.
Starr Beattes was one of those kids. One year though, when she was about eleven years old, a fire truck pulled up to her house and gave her family a bag of gifts. That year was magical. Since that moment, Starr knew has been looking for an opportunity to give back.
Four years ago she approached the then Captian of the Scullville Volunteer Fire Department, Mike Fiedor with an idea of how she could make Christmas wishes come true for families in her community that may be struggling financially. The Captain, along with the entire Scullville Volunteer Fire Department embraced Starr’s idea. The Scullville Volunteer Fire Department Toy Drive was born.
Starr, the Founder and President of the organization teamed up with Christy Flynn as Vice President. Together they made Christmas wishes come true for 86 children in Egg Harbor Township, this year alone.
The Scullville Volunteer Fire Department Toy Drive has just completed it’s fourth year. Each year they have collected more toys and in turn, have been able to help more families. They are now in the process of applying for 501c3 nonprofit status for their organization. Starr and Christy work with the schools, particularly the guidance counselors to identify which families may benefit the most from their help.
Starr emphasizes that they are only successful though because of the many people within the Community that help. Trinity Learning Center, English Creek Academy, Pooch Parlor, Circle K, Hair FX, Clayton’s Self Storage, the Moms Club of Egg Harbor Township, and Feldman Rayfield Cosmetic Surgery are just a few of the businesses and organizations that donate. There are also countless individuals within the Township that donate toys. “People seem to like that we are taking care of our own. It all stays within Egg Harbor Township,” says Starr.
The toy drive culminates with a day where all the toys are organized into categories based on age range, gender and activity and the families are invited to the fire station to select the toys that will be given to their children on Christmas. Many volunteers are on hand including many of the Scullville Volunteer Firefighters and the Scullville Auxiliary Members. There are also refreshments for those coming in to select their gifts. As one recipient gathered his children’s gifts, he looked up at the volunteer and said “This helps me out so much. I’m struggling so much. Thank you.”
Starr’s husband, John Beattes is a Scullville Volunteer Firefighter and also an Egg Harbor Township Police Officer. Together they have two children, Lona, age 13 and Johnathan, age seven. Both children help with the toy drive. “ If I could teach my children just one thing in life, it would be to give back,” says Starr.
Christy’s husband, Patrick Flynn is the Captain of the Scullville Volunteer Fire Department. Together they have a four year old daughter and are expecting their second child. “We are blessed that we have so much help from the firefighters. Everyone is so willing to help,” says Christy.
Wendy Housand is the president of Scullville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. Her son is a both a Scullville Volunteer Firefighter and a Pleasantville Firefighter. As she volunteers at the Scullville Toy Drive this past week, she looks around and says with a smile “This is what Christmas is all about.“
