People waited in line for almost an hour to help buy buying food
By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
People stood in line for almost an hour at Manville Pizza just waiting to order their dinner Monday night but they did not mind at all.
The restaurant held a fundraiser to help Manville Fire Company No. 1, victims of the flooding from Hurricane Irene at the end of August.
”Tonight’s fundraiser was a great success with a phenomenal turnout. At times the wait was over an hour due the extremely generous souls who showed up!” posted Anthony D’Aniello on his Facebook page.
The total raised in the four hours by Manville Pizza and Frank J. Bongiorno Associates was $2,100. An additional $2,000 was raised from private donations made directly to Fire Co. No. 1.
Scott McCall Carpentry and Contracting also graciously donated $1,500.
Mr. D’Aniello, his family and the whole restaurant staff turned out to help make this night a huge success.
”It ended up very good. The turnout was just amazing and the amount of people that were here and the volume of food that we put out was busier than we’ve ever been,” said Mr. D’Aniello. “We have never been that busy. Just the amount of people that showed up and supported the cause was truly a sight to behold. At one point, the line was out the door and around the building. It was nice and a good feeling.”
According to Mr. D’Aniello, there were more than 300 pizzas sold, 150 subs, and about 60 pounds of pasta.
”We couldn’t keep up with it. At one point the volume was easily over an hour wait. People were happily doing it. Everybody knew that it was for a good cause. Everyone just got together and got it done. There is only so much the seven of us can do it. It was like bailing out the Titanic with a tea cup,” laughed Mr. D’Aniello.
Their phone lines even crashed and no one could call in an order.
John Bentz, assistant fire chief from Company No. 1, helped out by taking orders at the register and passing them onto the kitchen crew.
”I would like to thank Vinnie and Anthony and the whole family at Manville Pizza for doing this benefit for us and the VFW,” he said. “It is great to know that we have businesses in town that are willing to help us out. They knew what we went through — three and a half feet of water in the firehouse. There is a lot of work to be done and we are getting back on our feet to get opened up. On behalf of all the members I would like to thank all the residents in town for coming out and supporting our firehouse, as well as the VFW.”
Hillsborough resident Peggy Mora came to show her support and help out.
”I saw it on the Immaculata website and I sent it out to my friends,” she said. “I think that is really a good thing that he is doing.”
Manville resident Kathy Basilone said she was “glad that Manville Pizza is doing this on behalf of everyone who lost something in the flood.”
Another Manville resident, Brenda Bickar, waited patiently but to her it did not matter.
”It is a wonderful turnout to help the fire department. They are fire responders and they help us so the community is coming out to help them,” she said.
At 9 p.m., Mr. D’Aniello said that a representative from Fire Company No. 1 and the VFW were presented with their donation. The fire company received 75 percent of proceeds and 25 percent went to the VFW.
”I hope we have the opportunity to do it again,” said Mr. D’Aniello. “I would do it again in a heartbeat.”