More outpouring of support for firefighter
MIDDLESEX TWP — The outpouring of support for the Vickinovac family continued Sunday afternoon with a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Middlesex Township Fire Station.
Middlesex Township firefighter Greg Vickinovac, 41, survived a difficult battle with COVID-19 a little more than a month ago, which included two weeks on a ventilator.
Vickinovac and his family attended the dinner, offering people a chance to give their well wishes in person, as they bought food, entered a basket raffle and offered donations. The funds raised will help the family offset the costs brought on by Greg's hospital stay.
Vickinovac said he continues to attend physical therapy about three days each week, but he feels good about where his recovery is at.
“I'd say I'm at about 90% at this point,” Vickinovac said at the event. “On my off days, I come up here and put on all my gear, just building up my lung capacity.”
Sunday's event was organized by Alicia Hoadley, Jaime Wharton and Renee Vandenberghe, all of whom went to Mars High School with Greg and his wife, Nicole.
“Greg has been serving the community for over 25 years,” Hoadley said. “The support has been amazing.”
About 40 baskets were donated for the raffle, and an anonymous, local business owner paid for the expenses of the dinner.
Vandenberghe said she felt more than happy to support the Vickinovacs, especially after they supporter her son, Colin, who was diagnosed in 2020 with Hodgkin lymphoma.
“We just want to pay it forward,” Vandenberghe said. “We're just trying to help them out and get them back on their feet.”
Vickinovac said this type of support is something he has seen and been a part of during his many years living in the family-oriented community. He said to be on the receiving end now is humbling and a blessing.
“It's overwhelming, the support from the fire company, the community and the other fire companies,” Vickinovac said. “When one of us is down, everybody picks up and gives you a helping hand.”
