Seafood Fest to offset fireman's medical costs
BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer

MATAWAN - Just like the Marines, firefighters in Matawan are committed to the promise that "no one gets left behind."

On Sept. 8, Washington Engine Company No. 1 is hosting an all-you-can-eat Seafood Fest, a fundraiser to benefit Richard Ingram, a volunteer fireman with the company for over 40 years who is in need of a kidney transplant.

According to company President Kevin Dolan, the original goal of the fundraiser was to help pay for experimental kidney surgery.

"His wife was going to donate a kidney but she's not a match," Dolan said.

Doctors called off the experimental procedure after several days of blood transfusions resulted in Ingram's body rejecting his wife's antibodies, according to Dolan. Ingram is a father of two college-age children, Dolan explained, and since kidney disease runs in his family, he felt the experimental surgery, though considered high risk, was the right choice for his family's future.

"He felt if he underwent this, it would be a good thing for his kids' future," Dolan said.

Dolan added, "After that failed, we decided to continue the fundraiser, put it in a special fund as he waits on the donor list."

Fire companies from throughout the area will be helping with the fundraiser, Dolan said, especially Keyport and the Morgan Hose & Chemical Co. of Sayreville.

"Keyport has a lot of experience because they run the Fireman's Fair," Dolan said.

In addition to being a long-serving volunteer firefighter, Ingram is a graduate of Matawan Regional High School and a

Vietnam veteran. Firefighters hope that

Ingram's health will not prevent

him from attending the

event. But even if he does

attend, Dolan said it

would only be for a short

while since he is on dialysis

for four to eight

hours per day.

Set to take place from 1-10 p.m. at the firehouse, 176 Jackson St., the event will be held rain or shine. Tickets cost $20 per adult and $10 for children age 13 and younger. The all-you-can-eat menu features shrimp, steamers, blue claw crabs and hard shell clams. For those not interested in seafood, there will be hot dogs, hamburgers and other food available as well.

"We're expected between 300 and 500 people," Dolan said.

Tickets can be reserved or bought the day of the event. Checks should be made out to the Washington Engine Co. No. 1 Benefit Account.

For more information, call Dolan at (732) 566-5905, Ray Bassford at (732) 765-0337 or Russ Van Pelt at (732) 684- 7779.