South Jersey shore town, pizza place rallies behind couple who lost all in fire
They say social media can bring out the worst in people.
It also brings out the best.
That was the case on Monday morning after a two-alarm house fire broke out on East Juniper Avenue in Wildwood.
The fire destroyed the apartment belonging to a worker at Santucci's Original Square Pizza in Wildwood. The worker lives at the apartment with his wife, who is eight months pregnant.
In the fire, everything was destroyed, including everything the couple received during a baby shower.
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The good news is the couple got out and is safe. So did the other families, which include 20 other residents.
After a post on the pizza place's Facebook page, it appears many are stepping up to help.
"This morning, one of our employees' apartment caught on fire," the post reads. "Angel and his 8 month pregnant wife Brianna were able to escape with the help of the Wildwood Fire Department. They lost everything in the fire including yesterday's baby shower gifts and diapers. If anyone would like to donate, we are accepting gift cards, diapers, baby clothing, and cash donations. You can stop by and leave any donations at Santucci’s in Wildwood at 402 E. 26th Ave."
As good people tend to do, they got down to business. Within four hours, the post was shared more than 1,500 times and many people were pledging help.
Soon, social media pages across the shore, including Wildwood 365, picked up the story and asked for donations. It didn't take long for the post to go viral.
The group added the couple's Venmo, but donations are also being accepted in the store.
Santucci's Pizza, which started in Northeast Philadelphia, opened its first shore pizza place four years ago.
Santucci's is known for its square pizza that has cheese on the bottom, sauce on top, so if that's the kind of pizza you crave, you can grab a slice and help. Donations, including clothes and diapers, can be dropped off at the pizza place, 402 E 26th Ave.
The J. Bryne Community Center is collecting items to help all of the families.
They are seeking infant size 6-to-12 months, girls, size extra small and boys size clothing. Also children shoes, girls size 5 and 7, and boys, size 12.
In women's clothing, they could use small, medium and large, as well as shoe sizes 4, 5.5, 6, 7 and 8.
In men's clothing, they need small, medium and large clothes. Pants, size 32 by 30, and shoes, size 7, 7.5, 8.5, 9 and 11.
They're also collecting gift cards, toiletries, personal items, socks, underwear, blankes, gloves, hats and scarves.
The community center is at 406 W Youngs Ave. in Wildwood.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Santucci's employee loses home in fire. Wildwood looks to help
