By Patricia Keller
WEST MILFORD - Chuck Enering and his wife can often be found volunteering their time at the West Milford Presbyterian Church, where he helps with the food pantry, and he and his wife serve as Youth Director and Christian Ad. Director for the religious education program.
The Enerings also participate in the church’s annual rummage sale, food, clothing, coat and toy drives to distribute to area children and families in need, help arrange and coordinate meetings at the church held by civic organizations such as West Milford Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, as well as many other events held at the church.
Enering is also a member of the West Milford Lions Club, and is the charter representative for the WM Presbyterian Church Boy Scout Troop 44.
He is also battling stomach cancer, according to Karen Ortolani, owner of JRC (Jewelry Repair Center) in West Milford, and a friend of the Enerings.
“He is a selfless person who is always asking what he can do for you.” Ortolani, who set up a Go Fund Me page for Enering, said. “Anyone in need, he is there to lend a hand. It is our turn to try to help him.”
According to the page at www.gofundme.com/help-chuck-fighting-stomach-cancer, Enering recently underwent stomach cancer surgery.
Enering said that approximately two-thirds of his stomach was removed during the surgery, and he has already gone through months of intensive chemotherapy. Although Enering is still healing from the surgery, he has already begun the next round of an estimated two more months of chemotherapy treatment.
Due to the extensive and costly treatment he requires in his battle for survival, the Enerings are facing financial difficulties, despite his wife’s employment.
Enering said that his medical bills have already reached amounts totaling several hundred thousand dollars, with more bills yet to come as his treatment continues.
On the Go Fund Me page, Ortolani wrote: “They need some help and fast.”
Well-wishers can also pass along a smile when they see Chuck, as he said he still intends to continue with his volunteer and charitable work as much as he is physically able to.
He recently attended the “Wreaths Across America” ceremony and assisted Boy Scout Troop 44 with locating and marking the gravesites of Veterans located at the West Milford Presbyterian Church cemetery for the individual wreath-laying ceremonies, assisted in coordinating a Girl Scout event recently held at the church, helped families in need through distribution of warm coats collected from a coat drive held at the church, and also attended a Boy Scout Troop 44 “Court of Honor” ceremony, in which he was recognized by the troop for the many years of dedication, service and support he has provided to the organization.
True to character, when asked to comment on this story, the Enerings used the opportunity to thank the people of the community that help them to be able to help others.
“My wife and I would like to thank everyone who helps and supports us,” he said about the item donations received and the volunteers that help with the drives held by the church. “Especially (I would) like to thank Karen (Ortolani) of JRC, and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary who always help us with the toy drive.”
Enering said he’s been collecting toy donations for the church for the past 10 years, and that this year the American Legion Ladies had collected so many, that he had to go back for them with a pickup truck.
“They are always very generous, helpful, and good to us (at the church),” he said.
How can I help?
Donations to offset medical costs and positive messages for Chuck can be sent through the Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/help-chuck-fighting-stomach-cancer.