Wall Helps Its People: Residents Helping Residents

For this installment of Spotlight On Wall, we caught up with a charitable organization unique to Wall Township. Wall Helps Its People, or WHIP, has been around for decades with the mission to help Wall residents who have fallen on hard times. President Hilary Addonizio, a well-recognized name in town, currently heads up the organization. Here's what she had to say:

First off, could you just tell us what Wall Helps Its People is and what the organization is trying to do?

WHIP is a non-profit organization designed to help Wall Township residents in need.  We are here to help families who suffer medical crises, have destruction to their home related to something beyond their control or need food assistance. Our policy is to help families once with monetary issues. We have an account at the Food Bank and will provide families with food when needed. The funds we use to help these families are 100 percent donated and are raised through fundraisers.  We have had some extremely generous people donate directly and/or anonymously to our organization.

* * * * *

Organization Name:  Wall Helps Its People
How Long In Wall:  40 years
President: Hilary Addonizio
Address: PO Box 1214 Wall, NJ 07719
Phone: (732) 996-9605
Email: wallhelps@gmail.com

* * * * *

How long has WHIP been around? And in that time, about how many families have you helped out?

WHIP was started in 1973. It started with a police officer getting hurt and a group of police officers came together to find a way to help.  Since then, we have been comprised of volunteers from several other organizations coming together to serve on WHIP. I only have records dating back to 2002 and since then we have helped about 300 families.  So I would imagine we have helped hundreds if not more, just based on what I can see. 

Wall’s a pretty wealthy town, generally speaking. Is there really much call for your organization?

Surprisingly yes.  There have been unfortunate circumstances in which people are suddenly stricken with a severe illness and need help with medical bills.  Others have lost their homes due to a fire.   Sadly, people have also lost their jobs due to cutbacks and have fallen on hard times.  None of these circumstances can be avoided, unfortunately.

Do you have any events or activities on the horizon?

Absolutely.  Sunday, Feb. 24 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. is our Annual Bowling Fundraiser at Sea Girt Lanes.  Tickets are $10 for unlimited bowling, including shoes.  It is a great day out with the entire family. Another big fundraiser we have coming up is our second annual Steak Bake- Friday, April 12 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at South Wall Fire House.  This year we are having a gift auction too.  Tickets are $40 for all-you-can-eat steak.  Beer and wine are also included.  Tickets for this event will be available starting at our bowling event.  For bowling or Steak Bake information feel free to call (732) 996-9605.

If people wanted to help out, what’s the best way for them to do that? How can people get involved?

As I stated above, a great way to help is to come show support and attend one or both of our upcoming events.  If people come to these events, we are asking them to bring a canned good to help us replenish our Food Bank Supply or make a monetary donation.