United Republican Club to Hold Fundraiser for Local Family

After a tragic fire forced one Howell family out of its home last month, a local organization is doing its part to help them get back on their feet.

It was March 15 when a blaze gutted the house of the Schiazza family on Villanova Drive. Fortunately everyone except the family dog was able to escape uninjured. As a result of the fire, the house was ruled uninhabitable.

On Sunday May 15, exactly two months after the fire, the United Republican Club of Howell will hold a pancake breakfast for the family at the Kent Road First Aid station. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and admission will be $10 for adults, while children 12 and under are free.

Robert Antonelli, the president of the club, said that while his organization will donate the food and services, use of the hall is being donated by Dr. Anthony Pannone, a fellow Howell resident. 

Antonelli said he was glad his group was able to find a way to help the Schiazzas. "Our organization is committed to community based needs and this situation is one that required involvement," he said. "We have to come together as a community. This is an opportunity for all people of Howell to show their support."

On the day of the fire, Carl Yeager, a Villanova Drive resident who lived down the street from the Schiazzas, said he could smell smoke as soon as he left his house and quickly found the source before calling 911. The police report said that when firefighters arrived smoke was coming out of the roof rafters. While firefighters were on the scene the first floor collapsed as part of the damage sustained by the house. 

All told there were 14 agencies involved in the fire. They included, the Howell Police Department, the Howell Police EMS, as well as the Howell Township Fire Bureau. Fire companies responding included the Adelphia Fire Company, the Farmingdale Fire Company and the Freewood Acres Fire Company.

Mutual aid was also supplied by the Freehold Boro Fire Company, the Freehold Independent Fire Company and the representatives from Earle Naval Weapons Fire Company.

In addition to the police and fire representatives, local first aid squads also reported to the scene.  They included the Howell First Aid, where the breakfast will be held, the Farmingdale-Howell First Aid and the Ramtown First Aid Squads. The Monmouth County Fire Marshall's Office also responded.

For more information, including how to donate to help the family, call Antonelli at (917) 684-1153. More information can also be found on the club's website.