Because life must go on

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — Joe Betro, owner of Delancey’s restaurant in Goshen, wanted to create an atmosphere of healing in his community after last month's tragedy. People in this close-knit town were hurting, but many were suffering alone.

He thought: Why not a community picnic where folks can gather just to support one other, to be together — to heal together?

He ran the idea by his chef, Mike Urato, who said the best helper for the project would be his wife, Therese. As a long-time substitute teacher at Goshen High School actively involved in school activities, she knew the teens involved in the July 14 car accident that claimed the lives of three students and injured a fourth.

Therese didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge of co-chairing the event with Betro. And, with that, Mike told his boss: “She’s on board.”

So far, there have been two planning meetings, each one attended by about 30 people from the community. Since individuals, families, restaurants, businesses and corporations from Goshen and surrounding towns want to help, the Goshen Strong Community Picnic will also collect funds to be equally divided among the four local families most affected by the accident: the Van Doran, O’Connor, Baglivo-Caccavale, and Krebs families.

“The Goshen Strong Community Picnic reminds us that life goes on, and hopefully will help the families financially,” said the Rev. David Kingsley, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen. "It emphasizes that our lives continue and must continue."

The picnic will be held on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church, in the center of the village.

'People are reaching out'“Everyone who came to our meetings joined in and made suggestions to make this a wonderful affair,” said Therese. All food and gifts so far have been donated — and that includes the port-a-potty rental as well, she said.

“Even with the port-a-potty company giving us a break, we still owed $300 for rental," she said. "The high school’s National Honor Society picked up the cost of that.”

Amassing food, tables, chairs, grills, and so much more for this anticipated tremendous gathering isn’t easy, since it involves many phone calls to lots of people.

“We just can’t get enough donations from one or two sources," Therese said. "We have to ask several companies for the same item to have enough for everyone. We’re all hitting the pavement."

Community response has been “amazing,” she said. Food, water, soda, and prizes to fill the many baskets in the tricky tray fundraiser have already been donated. The tricky tray will have two parts: assorted items in baskets for raffling, plus a higher-priced table with better prizes, including an $800 gift certificate for car washes from Hambletonian Auto Spa in Chester; a ride and lunch with a professional race car driver, offered by the Monticello Motor Club, valued at $1,200; a one-week stay next summer at a private home in Cape May, N.J.; and several original pieces of art work by local artists.

“People are calling me, reaching out to me, wanting to help," said Therese. "Some who can’t make the event have mailed me checks. The people aren’t just from Goshen, but from other towns who feel our pain, like Warwick and Monroe."

Plenty of people have already responded that they’re coming to the picnic. But to best plan for the day, organizers are urging others who plan to attend to pay their admission price as soon as possible.

“It’s is a challenge, not knowing the number of people who will be attending, and we want to have plenty of food," said Therese.

The menu includes: hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, chicken, green salad, corn on the cob, watermelon and homemade desserts. For drinks: water and soda. (No alcoholic beverages.)

Besides the food, there will be lots for children to do, like playing in bouncy houses, face painting, games, and more.

An information booth will be on the grounds for those wanting to learn more about being an organ donor or wishing to sign-up. Also available will be Goshen Strong T-shirts and magnets. Shirts are $20. Small magnets are $2 and large magnets are $5. Committee members have recently already sold 80 T-shirts and many magnets at the Goshen Farmers’ Market.

Three committee members are working together on the paperwork and collecting the money (see related article for more information). To avoid the high cost of postage, when guests register at check-in the day of the picnic, they will receive an envelope with their name on it containing the number of bracelets ordered.

As a supporter of the picnic, the Village of Goshen is committed to ensuring the event’s success. Mayor Kyle Roddey and other board members plan to help with set-up and prep.

“Collectively as a village we have the responsibility to help out when we need each other," said Roddey. "This is one of those times.”

The village's Department of Public Works will set up trash cans and pack them up afterward, and the village police will be available, if needed.

“Individuals leading the charge are working tirelessly doing a fantastic job," Roddey said. "Thank you.”

Therese said, “We’re helping families and bringing people together for healing. We all love Goshen, love living here, and people come together when the need arises. People step up to the plate. We’re working to have a nice, happy environment to help heal together."

The Rev. Kingsley offered words of solace.

“This reminds us that good or ill, our God is with us and cares about us," he said. "We experience that directly through the lives of others. Together we heal.”