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PLUMSTED: Bordentown Elks rally around New Egypt family

A community fundraiser was held at the New Egypt Elks Lodge No. 2457 located at 105 Lakewood Road on March 9 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

by Amy Batista, Special Writer
PLUMSTED — On his drive home from the Home Depot in Hamilton on Feb. 7, David Lydon turned the corner of Cream Ridge Golf Course and saw smoke in the morning sky.
   Mr. Lydon knew immediately the source of the smoke.
   ”There was no other reason what the smoke was about,” he said, referring to the blaze that destroyed his New Egypt Home several weeks ago.
   The fire was ultimately ruled accidental, but otherwise undetermined.
   ”There was so much fire damage they really couldn’t pinpoint the area,” Mr. Lydon said.
   Arising from the ashes of the fire was the support of the community and the Elks.
   A community fundraiser was held at the New Egypt Elks Lodge No. 2457 located at 105 Lakewood Road on March 9 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The lodge teamed up with the Bordentown Elks Lodge, where Mr. Lydon is a member.
   The event featured picnic style food including hamburgers, hot dogs, pork roll, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, chips, pretzels, a variety of desserts and drinks.
   Nearly all the food was donated, said Renee Bancroft, who organized the benefit along with Pam Beckett.
   She (Ms. Beckett) said we should do something for our friend,” said Ms. Bancroft. “We said ‘hey let’s all get together as Elks’.”
   ”The Elks are supposed to help out their family and friends as a part of it,” said Ms. Beckett.
   ”People were really willing to step up and help whatever way they could,” Ms. Bancroft said.
   Donated food from local businesses and merchants included US Foods, Aramark, New Egypt Marketplace, Italian Villa, Ninuzzo, Red Star, and Anthony’s.
   Around 40 gift baskets were also raffled off throughout the event. Musicians who performed at the event also donated their time, Ms. Beckett said.
   Among the performers were DJ Superman Steve, Chandler Miller, Ernie White and Tom Reock Duo, Black Brant Band, and DJ Shawn Hardy of Party Hardy.
   All the help for the evening consisted of Elk volunteers and some school children who were doing some community service.
   Mr. Lydon expressed gratitude for the community and his brother Elks.
   ”The people are outstanding,” he said. “I can’t praise them enough.
   ”I’m truly amazed at the people that shouldn’t be able to afford who are able to give money who have come and gave something,” he added. “Even the people in need are giving. That is truly amazing.”
   Mr. Lydon recognized that it was not just the people at these event, but it was also the local firefighters and “people I don’t even know” who have helped raised money since the Feb. 7 fire.
   Sons Alex Lydon and Kyle Lydon, 18, were also in attendance at the event.
   The family has been split up and staying with friends, but is expected to be back together around March 15. Mr. Lydon was able to get a three-bedroom house in Chesterfield while he rebuilds their New Egypt home house. He is a contractor.
   Mr. Lydon said he plans on rebuilding his home, but “nothing as massive as I had.”
   The Lydon family is also still looking for its female cat, which is primarily black and gray.
   Attendees at the event expressed their support for the family.
   ”Dave is a great friend of ours,” said family friend Patti Dixon, of Bordentown “We support everything he does.”
   Loretta Walsh, of Jackson, is an Elks member who “was happy to help.”
   ”We try to help the community as much as we can,” said Ms. Walsh.
   Mike Cowell, of New Egypt, also an Elks member, said he is always “happy to support our brother Elk.”
   A memory board was set up for guests to fill with messages and well wishes for the family for the new house.
   ”This is a terrible tragedy,” Mr. Lydon said, but added he is grateful for the support of the community and the fact that his kids were not home at the time and that “nobody was hurt.”