Springfield H.O.P.E. – or Helping Other People Endure – was created to enable residents, businesses and visitors to town to help individuals and families cope with extraordinary circumstances or simply just get by throughout the year, not only during the holiday season.
The organization is the brainchild of Tom Ernst, a retired career Springfield firefighter and coordinator of the Springfield Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Ernst formed the not-for-profit corporation as a result of his experiences with Toys for Tots and as a firefighter.
"People want to make donations all year long, not just at the holidays," Ernst said. "And they want to give not only toys, but donations of money and other goods, as well." As we have expanded our outreach we have partnered with the Springfield Rotary, the Springfield Kiwanis, the Springfield Community Conference of Schools, the St. James Columbiettes, the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce and other groups so we can bring hope to those that need it most.
Last year Ernst noted that the home of a Springfield family was completely destroyed by fire and literally had only the clothes on their back. There was an outpouring of support from the community, but it reached the point that donations of clothes, toys and other goods became too much.
The firefighter realized it would be great to have an entity to accept cash donations for cases like this and turned to the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce for help. The Chamber quickly jumped on board and donated $500 to help form a corporation.
Scott Seidel, Springfield Chamber co-chair, worked to establish a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation consisting of four trustees: Scott Seidel,Patriot Chamber of Commerce co-chair Pat Paolella of Kearny Federal Savings Bank and Chamber Treasurer John Cottage and Dr. Gary Hecht,Tom Ernst and Gloria Rego, who has been actively involved in many community activities also donates much time to Springfield H.O.P.E. Her ability to reach out to the needy families in town helps make Springfield H.O.P.E. available to our many Spanish speaking families. All individuals donate their time to run Springfield H.O.P.E. Seidel confirms that the organization is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(C)3 Tax Exempt Corporation.
Beyond filing fees, all proceeds of Springfield H.O.P.E. will directly benefit needy families and individuals in the township. According to Cottage, donations will be in the form of gift cards to local establishments, food stores, clothing stores, etc., to avoid abuse of the system.
You will be contacted promptly. All requests for donations and assistance will be kept strictly confidential.
Contact Us
Anyone wanting to make a donation to Springfield H.O.P.E. may do so by contacting HOPE at:
973-467-3388
or mailing a check to:
Springfield H.O.P.E.
C/O Springfield OEM
200 Mountain Ave.
Springfield NJ 07081.
Anyone seeking help or assistance from Springfield H.O.P.E may contact any of the Trustees at the above number. You will be contacted promptly. All requests for donations and assistance will be kept strictly confidential.
Dr. Gary Hecht
Hecht Family Chiropractic
201 Mountain Ave.
Springfield, NJ 07081
973-564-5885
drhecht@aol.com
