Ocean Pathway, Ocean Grove, NJ. Paul Goldfinger photo (click once to enlarge; back arrow to return)
By Paul Goldfinger, editor @Blogfinger
On Memorial Day, a coin toss collection was occurring on Corlies Avenue near Main Street in Ocean Grove. A group of men, not in uniform, were holding out little red pails so that cars, stopping for the light, could make a contribution. It was mildly intimidating, and it wasn’t exactly clear as to who was sponsoring this coin toss. We saw some signs that said “support your local fire department.” We wondered if this were an Ocean Grove fire district event, and we were mistrustful because of the lack of documentation. If we knew that the collection was by OG firemen, we would have contributed.
The next day we mentioned the event on the blog, and one commenter said he thought it was “probably a scam.”
Looking into it further, and speaking to two knowledgeable local firemen, we learned that the collection was being conducted by the Unexcelled Fire Company of the Neptune Fire Department.
We realized that our readers might like to learn some basic information as to how the Ocean Grove Fire Department is organized and funded and what is the explanation regarding the Memorial Day coin toss.
The Ocean Grove Fire Department and the Neptune Fire Department are separate entities. In the Grove are three fire companies: Eagle Hook & Ladder, Washington Fire Co and E.H. Stokes Fire Co. In Neptune there are four: Unexcelled Fire Co., Shark River Hills Fire Co., Hamilton Fire Co. and Liberty Fire Co. Part of our township taxes are allocated to these volunteer fire companies, but sometimes the money is not enough.
The expenses of the fire departments are significant. OG will get a new fire truck soon. It will replace a 40-year-old engine. The gear that firefighters wear often have to be replaced, and those replacements cost over $2,000.00 each.
Fund raising is allowed by the fire companies and can consist of mailings and/or coin toss events. However, in the case of Ocean Grove, our firefighters no longer have coin tosses, and they have not had a mail fundraiser in at least four years. According to former fire chief David Shotwell, Jr., individuals do sometimes send contributions, so if anyone wants to do so, they can be sent to the OG Fire Department at 50 Olin Street in Ocean Grove, NJ, 07756. The Ocean Grove First Aid Squad receives donations at PO Box 57, Ocean Grove NJ 07756. Mr. Shotwell said that the option to have fund raising events remains open in the Grove in case a need subsequently develops.
It should be noted that these coin toss fundraisers are sometimes controversial. In Bradley Beach, their local fire and first aid squads hold coin tosses to raise the extra money needed to provide services. One of their firemen told me, “We are professionals and we should not have to beg for money to save the government money.” And in Ocean Grove, there have been some differences in the past among our three companies regarding whether to hold such events or not.
Editor’s note: We have posted some additional information about the Memorial Day coin toss and about the Unexcelled Fire Company . Click on comments below. PG
These firefighters work so diligently and deserve our praise and our support. It would be wonderful to have an OG sponsored fundraiser for all three companies. Anyone have any thoughts on this??
I will gladly give to a coin toss, or to a fundraiser to benefit the fire companies. After seeing them in action during the last two major fires in town, I really appreciate all they do to help save our homes! I’ve even walked into the OG firehouse to make a donation. Makes me feel like I am helping them in return.
Those coin tosses are a long standing tradition. I remember being allowed to toss coins out of the car window when I was a child. Most of those guys are volunteers, & its nice to know they are always there for us, no matter what part of town we live in. A smile & a thank you, plus a dollar or two from everyone who passes by them, helps all of us.
Editor’s Note: We have received an inquiry regarding the location of the Memorial Day coin toss. This is what former fire chief David Shotwell had to say, “The closest they were to Main Street was the traffic island between the railroad tracks and Memorial Drive. This activity is regulated by the state and local governments, and Unexcelled complies with the requirements.”
Mr. Shotwell also said that “Unexcelled Fire Company provides aid to the Ocean Grove Fire Department when assistance is needed for fires, and also covers Ocean Grove when our fire personnel and equipment go out of town for training at fire academies in Howell Township and Brick Township.
“Unexcelled uses the funds it raises from the coin tosses to fund training beyond the mandated training, frequently bringing in instructors from large career departments. Unexcelled often opens this training to surrounding fire companies, including Ocean Grove.”
Sue: OG has three fire companies due primarily to tradition. In the old days of fire service, in order to fight fires, you needed an engine/pump, hose, and ladders.
These used to be distinct jobs. The size of the pumps at the time were so large and cumbersome for the horses or men to pull around that carrying hose was difficult. Engine companies just carried buckets and small amounts of hose.
As pump technology developed they could push more water, requiring bigger and heavier hose. Pump technology was ahead of automobile technology, so there wasn’t a vehicle that could handle the weight of both. Thus hose companies were born
Ladder companies just brought and transported ladders.
So OG had a company that brought ladders, one that brought hose, and one that brought the pump.
Eventually automobiles developed enough to put the engine and hose on the same vehicle, so now Washington and Stokes do the same thing. Is not really necessary to have both; they should just merge, but there is too much politics involved for that to happen.
My word. Even a simple coin toss brings such negativity. I have lived in the Grove since 1981 and EVERY Memorial Day there has been a coin toss; kind of symbolized the beginning of another summer coming. I really enjoy giving to these fireman, they really go 100% when there is a fire in the Grove.
Some of you people really need to lighten up, I REALLY see no intimidation to toss a coin, if you don’t want to there’s no problem.
Just remember the next time you see a fireman sweating, or freezing, tired, and ready to help anyone in need, your small coin toss put a smile on their face for a second and made them proud of what they do.
I am on a very tight budget and I would never toss a coin—more likely a few bucks makes me feel better, but to each whatever they could afford.
How was Unexcelled’s coin toss confusing people? They were standing on the median, behind signs that say “Support Your Local Fire Department” wearing bright yellow reflective vests, IN FRONT OF THEIR OWN FIREHOUSE! Which says UNEXCELLED in huge letters on the front…and the door was open so you could see the Fire Apparatus
Ogrover … The Fireman’s Fair! That was huge back in the day in Wayne, NJ. I hadn’t thought about it in years. Good times.
I agree about the buckets. I do toss in, but it does remind me of panhandlers by the tunnels in NY, back in the Dinkin’s days.
Can someone expand why we have 3 separate fire companies in Ocean Grove?
If funds are needed, I see no reason why there can’t be fundraising events. Perhaps a Fireman’s Fair like they hold in my old hometown or a Fire Olympics or even Firehouse Tours. It was different when coin tosses were just that, a large target set up for people to throw coins at as they drove by, not personel swarming with buckets. The stoplight ‘traps’ smack of intimidation a little bit and do come across as begging. Just my opinion.