Crime & Safety
Nearly 500 Celebrate St. Paddy's Helping the O'Briens
460 family, friends and supporters gathered at St. Bartholomew Church for a fundraiser to help the O'Brien Family, who lost their home in a tragic house fire.
When the O'Brien family lost their Portland Avenue home in a house fire last February, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood community took action. Hundreds responded with donations of clothing, monetary gifts, medical equipment, time, and endless support.
March 17 was no exception.
Many of the nearly 500 that stood shoulder to shoulder in the gym at St. Bartholomew Church in Scotch Plains did not know Laurie or Tom O’Brien personally, but decided to spend St. Paddy's drinking good beer, eating pizza or subs, and sharing in the generous Irish spirit and joy of helping those in need.
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The event was organized by extended family. Tom O’Brien’s father, Tom Sr. spent the evening ushering attendees inside and distributing raffle tickets. By 8 p.m., it seemed impossible to fit one more guest into the gym.
“To say that we were overwhelmed is an understatement,” Tom Sr. said. “Thank you so much to Joe and Nina Balente who grilled the hot dogs, Hershey’s Deli in Westfield for donating the sub and sloppy joe sandwiches, and particularly Alfonso’s and Nunzio’s Pizzerias who not only donated some pizzas but came through for us when we needed more than we anticipated, a total of 70 pizzas. Without their help our night would not have been as successful as it was.”
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As Laurie and Tom O’Brien took the stage to address the crowd, the pair was overwhelmed by the ferocious joy and support that reverberated throughout the hall.
“Despite what we have been through, there are so many things that we are grateful for. We are especially grateful tonight, to be here with you,” Laurie O’Brien said. “Having a place to go is home, having someone to love is family, and having both is a blessing. We are truly, truly blessed.”
To learn more about how you can help the O'Brien family, click here. If you would like to make a cash donation you have two options.
You can make your check payable to: Tom and Laurie O’Brien and mail it directly to them at a family member’s home located at: 2233 Evergreen Avenue, Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076.
You can also mail a check to: Saint Bartholomew Church 2032 Westfield Avenue Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076. Please write O’Brien in the memo line. The Church in turn, will write a check from the St. Bartholomew Church Charity Begins at Home fund which will aid the family in the days and weeks ahead.
