"Adversity does not develop character, it reveals it."

Summit Mayor Nora Radest and Other Fellow First Foundation Discuss ‘Summit Warm Hearts’ Initiative
Summit Mayor Nora Radest and Other Fellow First Foundation Discuss ‘Summit Warm Hearts’ Initiative

Other Fellow First Foundation Reflects on 2020

While it is easy to wish for 2020 to disappear, we think that would be a mistake without a quick review of some Summit positives.
Like most communities, this year posed a serious challenge to the word normal in Summit. The COVID-19 virus seriously disrupted our lives and our way of life. Worst of all, Families were deprived of the precious language of the caring hug. .  
All of the above occurred in the blink of an eye and changed everyone’s behavior in Summit.

Other Fellow First Foundation's Matching Gift Supports 'Summit Warm Hearts' Initiative

SUMMIT, NJ - Stepping in and stepping up to help the Summit Interfaith Council's 'Summit Warm Hearts' initiative, Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation is pledging a $10,000 matching gift to help the program reach its $20,000 goal. Funds raised will help provide overnight accommodations and meals for 13 homeless Summit residents.

Summit Community Gobbles Up Opportunity to Set New Frozen Turkey Drive Collection Record

SUMMIT, NJ - Chalk it up to 'Just Summit Being Summit'.
​Despite the pandemic and the many hardships it has presented to all, the Hilltop City again showed that giving back is a major part of its DNA. A fact reinforced in bold numbers -- specifically the record-setting numbers achieved during the 13th Annual Summit Frozen Turkey Drive staged by Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation.

Summit's Annual Frozen Turkey Drive Set for Nov. 22

SUMMIT, NJ - The COVID-19 pandemic has brought myriad changes -- and for some, sadly, tragedy -- to the lives of folks all over the globe. Summit has not been exempted from this seismic impact, with the virus mandating changes to virtually every aspect of life in the Hilltop City.

Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation Establishes Fund to Assist Victims of Morris Ave. Fire

SUMMIT, NJ - The COVID-19 pandemic has altered everyone's sense of normalcy, disrupting many of things folks assumed would be part of their lives, day-in and day-out. It has been a trying and, for many in the Garden State and beyond, tragic time.

Trio of Other Fellow First Foundation Initiatives Help Raise $75,000 for Five Summit Agencies

SUMMIT, NJ - In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic just two months ago, Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation invited the Hilltop City's residents to again demonstrate why Summit is a special community, asking them and their neighbors to match or surpass a $25,000 challenge gift.

Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation, Peter Wallburg Studios Capture Family Doorstep Memories

SUMMIT, NJ - It is said that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Given the adage, Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation and Peter Wallburg Studios recently collaborated to craft a 43,000-word story and, in the process, wrote another chapter in the Hilltop City's book of benevolence.

Fighting Food Insecurity in New Jersey
While establishing a delivery service during the Covid-19 crisis for house-bound seniors and other vulnerable neighbors in our community, two dire situations were exposed: the ubiquity of food insecurity in our towns and the harrowing disruption of the Meals On Wheels supply chain due to the global pandemic. This heroic organization needed immediate help. Through a collaborative effort, community leaders came together swiftly and decisively to answer that call. This is their story.​

Moment in Time: Summit Family Photo Opportunity Part of Foundation's Push to Help Community Agencies

SUMMIT, NJ - Caught In a time like no other in recent -- or even distant -- memory, community members find themselves engaged in behaviors that include practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing their hands constantly, and celebrating achievements like getting their hands on disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer or toilet paper at the market.

Sticking It to The Virus, Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation Continues Fundraising, Starts Bumper Sticker Campaign

SUMMIT, NJ - Like a lightning-quick boxer whose trainer is shouting "stick and move, champ," Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation is leading with a one-two punch in the efforts to rally the community in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Other Fellow First Foundation Asks Summit Community to Push Onward, Upward as Fundraising Effort Approaches $50,000

SUMMIT, NJ - Since launching an effort to help those who make it their mission to help others, the GoFundMe page originated by Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation has -- when factoring in the Foundation's $25,000 pledge -- now exceeded $48,000.

Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation Launches Effort to Help Those Who Help Others

SUMMIT, NJ - Over the past two decades, Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation has responded to myriad community needs, helping families and individuals that were in distress. Facing unprecedented circumstances presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation is asking for the community's help in meeting the latest challenge.

Courtney Zanelli Joins Board of Summit's Other Fellow First Foundation

SUMMIT, NJ - Courtney Zanelli has joined the Board of Directors of Summit’s Other Fellow First Foundation. The longtime Summit resident is the owner of Courtney Zanelli, LLC. She joins current Board members Jim Greberis, Jordan Glatt, Neale Trangucci, David Haire, Jamie Haire and Brett Haire.

Responding to Family's Adversity, Summit Community Helps Weaver Street Fire Victims Get Back on Their Feet

SUMMIT, NJ - The day after Christmas, Martha Ramirez and her family were burned out of their home on Weaver Street. Some of the residence's occupants were forced to leap from second-story windows and ended up in the hospital. Mercifully, there were no life-threatening injuries, and all are now doing much better.

Other Fellow First Foundation Springs Into Action, Establishes GoFundMe Site for Summit Family Devastated by Boxing Day Blaze

SUMMIT, NJ - Hilltop City Good Samaritans The Other Fellow First Foundation is answering the call -- and calling on the Summit community to join them -- to help the family affected by the December 26 fire that severely damaged a duplex at 20 Weaver Street.

Other Fellow First Foundation, Central Church Collaborate to Help Selfless Summit Servant

SUMMIT, NJ - Her family has been part of the Summit Community for nearly 100 years. After losing her brother, Fran Moore Banks adopted his three special needs children -- two of which are now in college -- and raised them as her own.  The youngest teenager is still living with her.

Serving Others: Summit Foundation Steps In to Assist Diner Employee Who's Fallen on Tough Times

SUMMIT, NJ - Mae's smile and sunny demeanor light up the iconic Summit Diner as she greets Hilltop City residents and folks from neighboring communities, one of many reasons the venerable Summit eatery is so popular with those who come there from parts near and far to experience a true New Jersey original.

Life And Debt: These Twins Need New Hearts And A Whole Lot Of Money

At just 24 years old, the Roman twins have each had heart surgeries that cost more than $1 million. If they’re lucky, they’ll both have another million-dollar surgery in their futures. They’ll need even more good fortune to be able to afford to stay alive.
Edwin and Edward Roman have a condition known as cardiomyopathy, which causes the muscles in their hearts to enlarge, thicken and harden, reducing their ability to pump blood throughout their bodies. Symptoms include swelling in the legs, bloating in the abdomen, fatigue and difficulty breathing.

​Summit Area YMCA Honors Community Partners in Annual Celebration

We’re a very small foundation with a very simple mission. We think of ourselves of a quiet community shock absorber. There’s only 5 of us, we don’t have a grants committee. Our board meetings are short, typically at the Summit Diner, and it doesn’t take us very long to address a community need. Having limited resources keeps us hungry, flexible and creative,” said T. Bret Haire, Other Fellow First Foundation President. “We’re small, we mainly raise money, so we need partners who are good with helping people and organizations like Summit Tap and the Y fit the bill...We have been exceptionally inspired by the powerful and positive role modeling that you and your organization provide our community. Following your shadow, we work very hard to keep the unity in community.”

​Serving Others: Summit Foundation Steps In to Assist Diner Employee Who's Fallen on Tough Times

"SUMMIT, NJ - Mae's smile and sunny demeanor light up the iconic Summit Diner as she greets Hilltop City residents and folks from neighboring communities, one of many reasons the venerable Summit eatery is so popular with those who come there from parts near and far to experience a true New Jersey original."

Leroy Horn's Medical Bills

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As many of you know Leroy Horn , fondly known as coach Horn, suffered a stroke in early August. He was hospitalized for almost 2 weeks and underwent quite a few tests and procedures. Thankfully he is doing well but still is unable to return to work at the Summit YMCA. He will be undergoing further procedures and surgery next month. Unfortunately Leroy has no insurance and no income. His medical bills are mounting and he has exhausted all his funds. Leroy needs our help to get through this very tough time.
This page has been created to reach out to as many people as possible who may not know the dire situation that Leroy is in. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Let's all pull together to help Coach Horn.

​Billy's Good Samaritan Fund

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Summit New Jersey's  Good Samaritan, Billy MacAdam needs your help…

Recently, Billy MacAdam was beaten to within an inch of his life.  Stopping at night on Route 24 to help two strangers who were stranded proved to be a mistake.  The intoxicated man viscously turned on Billy and broke his leg, his hip and caused serious bleeding on Billy’s brain.  For most of us, this would be a traumatic life changing event, for Billy, who had a heart transplant 8 years ago, and is now on dialysis, and in need of a kidney transplant, this is just more bad luck.

Billy is a longtime Summit resident, a recently retired Captain of the Summit Auxiliary Police Department and a serial volunteer at Summit events like the Easter Egg Hunt, Memorial Day Parade, 4th of July fireworks, National Night Out, and the Turkey Drive before Thanksgiving, just to name a few.

Billy has been in rehab and unable to work.  Additionally, he has also lost his apartment and is now homeless and temporarily, until he gets back on his feet, living with his brother.  Before the incident, Billy was able to work a few hours a day as a crossing guard which, in addition to his disability check was barely sustaining him.  

The little Other Fellow First Foundation, which exists to assist Summit families in distress is helping Billy get back on his feet and secure enough financing for him to find an apartment and deal with his crushing load of expenses. 

Please help him if you can.

Summit Community Forms Effort to Help Victims of New Year's Eve Apartment Fire

"A glimmer of hope for those who lost so much exists, however, in Summit's own Other Fellow First Foundation, a small, but nimble, charitable organization that exists solely to do what its name directly implies -- to help their fellow man, especially those who have been dealt a cruel hand by fate."

​Slice of Summit Life: Community Unites to Support Brothers Facing Multiple Heart Surgeries

47 Summit Avenue
​Summit, NJ 07901

Other Fellow First Foundation

In life, the true measure of a person is not how high you fly. Instead, we think it's all about how high you bounce. All of us have good and bad days. Most of us have better good ones than bad. However, every once in a while, the less fortunate need a helping hand.  This is why we exist.

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