Injured Parsippany Sanitation Worker’s Crew Organizes Spaghetti Fundraiser

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The Parsippany Blue Collar Workers Union has organized a fundraiser to help a coworker and his family following a tragic accident in April.

The Parsippany Blue Collar Workers has slated its "Parsippany Strong: Pasta & Prizes for a Blue Collar Brother" for Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. at the Parsippany Police Athletic League, 33 Baldwin Avenue.

The event will benefit Anthony Shandra and his family after he underwent life-saving surgery following a tragic incident while on his sanitation route.

The fundraiser will feature a spaghetti dinner as well as a tricky tray full of prizes for participants.

"We as a Union are asking the residents of Parsippany to come together to support one of our own," a statement read.

Tickets for the event are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $15 for children. A tricky tray combo pack is also available for $50. Click here to buy tickets.

Background

On April 28, around 7 a.m, police were called to the area of Vail Road and Arnold Drive on reports of an accident involving a garbage truck.

Authorities found that a sanitation worker, later identified as 48-year-old Shandra, was loading trash into the rear of the truck when a Nissan Altima struck him, according to police.

The Nissan, driven by a 29-year-old man, caused Shandra to be pinned between the vehicles, crushing him, police said.

First responders rendered life-saving care to Shandra, and he was rushed to Morristown Medical Center to undergo emergency surgery for "severe injuries to his lower extremities."

As of Friday morning, a GoFundMe fundraiser has raised more than $82,000 from over 1,000 donations to help Shandra and his family cover medical expenses, missed wages, and more.

Authorities have not announced any criminal charges in the incident at this time, but said the Nissan driver was cooperating with the investigation.