Volunteers of the Month for December were Fanwood firefighters Frank Dietl and Doug Germinder, designated Santa’s helpers during the annual Santa Parade through Fanwood this past Saturday. The Santa Parade is a decades-old tradition in which Santa Claus goes door to door through the town delivering presents to our children. The planning and execution takes weeks of coordination by the firefighters and their families to collect the gifts, organize them into an efficient route, then spend an entire day delivering them. Doug and Frank play integral roles in making the day happen. Mayor Mahr presented each with a print of the town’s historic train station and Fire Chief John Piccola said a few words of praise as well. The photo shows, left to right, Dietl, Germinder and Chief Piccola.
Jennifer Ricci, Executive Director of the Chelsea at Fanwood assisted living residence, is leaving after 17 years on the job. Mayor Mahr and Councilman Tom Kranz recognized her for opening the doors of the Chelsea to the community for public events and meetings and for being host to first responders during and after Hurricane Sandy when she fed and housed police officers and firefighters who worked long shifts. She has held numerous fundraisers for the Fire Department, PBA and Rescue Squad and made the building available as a warming and cooling station during extreme weather. She is leaving to spend more time with her family.
