Donations pouring in for Lyndhurst family who lost father, son in Route 80 crash
Just days after a car crash that left a Lyndhurst father and young son dead, the community has stepped up to help out the grieving family.
Robert Csapo, 46, and his son John, 6, died Sunday morning on the way back from a Boy Scouts camping trip when their minivan crashed into a light pole on Route 80 in Wayne. Csapo's other two sons were also in the car but did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Police have not said what caused the single-car crash.
In the midst of tragedy, two parents from John's school teamed up to organize a Meal Train for Csapo's surviving family, including his wife, Erica.
In just two days, the fundraiser, which also allows people to donate meals, has raised over $46,000, which has thrilled organizers Katie Raggi and Melissa Mitchell.
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"We've just been going back-and-forth texting each other like 'Wow, we need to up the goal,'" Mitchell said. "This is overwhelming and it's the least we can do to help this family."
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Raggi and Mitchell, whose kids attend Columbus Elementary School with the Csapos, got together to organize a Meal Train, and the donations immediately started pouring in.
"By Monday morning it took off more then we could've expected," Raggi said. "Lyndhurst is a tight-knit community to begin with ... You don't have to know somebody, that's just what Lyndhurst is about, it's about community and helping."
Raggi's family is close with the Csapos, having met when their kids started kindergarten together in 2019. The kids became best friends, spending time with each other every day after school.
Robert was a "quintessential family man," Raggi said, and was someone who wouldn't hesitate to pick up one of her kids from school if she had somewhere to be. He would attend any Little League game or camping trip he could when he was not traveling for work.
"He loved those boys," Raggi said.
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According to Raggi, John was a huge fan of "Ghostbusters" and always wore a "Ghostbusters" hat that he refused to take off, even on camping trips.
In a text message, Columbus Elementary School principal Robert Giangeruso said the district will help the Csapo family in "any way they need."
The Meal Train page is seeking donations for boys clothes, sizes 6 and 10. It is also seeking businesses that would offer services, including barbers, salons and housekeeping.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Lyndhurst NJ: Donations soar for father, son in Rt. 80 crash
