By MADDY VITALE
First there was the North Street Christmas tree, one that came to symbolize the strength of a community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Sue McElwee’s idea to place a tree on the North Street beach gave fellow Ocean City resident, Melanie Stampone, the motivation to put a tree at her end of the island on 55th Street beach.
So then there were two trees. People visited them. They took family photos in front of them. They even helped decorate them with the markers and shells left by the people who put the tree there.
And others who enjoyed the trees and what they seemed to signify to a community wanted to help spread the happiness. Now, there are at least six trees as of Sunday night on Ocean City beaches.
Steve Collom, 58, lives on 15th Street. He and his girlfriend, Linda Van Ocker, 61, put up a tree on the 15th Street beach this past Friday that honors first responders.
“I wanted to put up a tree ever since last year when I saw the North Street tree,” Collom recalled in an interview Sunday.
He made up his mind after a walk — a long walk.
“I didn’t make it all the way down to 55th Street beach, but I saw the pet tree on 21st Street and another tree at 38th,” Collom explained. “I just thought it would be so cool to have multiple trees along the beach. If there is a tree on the beach every four or five blocks, it would be great.”
Like the 15th Street tree which honors first responders, a tree was put up at 11th Street beach recently. But that one honors men and women who have served or are currently in the military. The tree was put up by Dave Darrow, according to social media posts.
Another tree placed on the beach at 21st Street is dedicated to people and their beloved pets. Social media posts show yet another beach tree has been planted in the sand at 37th Street.
Collom and Van Ocker said it was not difficult to decide on a theme for their tree.
It was simple.
“The first responders are the heroes of our country,” Collom said.
Collom and Van Ocker are friends with firefighters. They are involved with an organization called Firefighter Five.
Firefighter Five is a veteran-founded organization that focuses on first responders and their wellbeing.
On Sunday, Collom and Van Ocker held a tree dedication ceremony in honor of the first responders who risk their lives to help others. They were joined by a handful of people, some of whom were first responders.
Collom read a few words to those who gathered.
“Almighty God, you lend your strength to all those who are there for us in times of crisis, fear, and hurt. You give courage to the first responders who continue to do this important work they are called to do, looking beyond the risk for the sake of those who need your help and protection …”
Over the last couple of days since Collom and Van Ocker put up their tree, they have met people who have told them what the tree means to them, Van Ocker said.
“We met people who were first responders in New York City. One woman said that it brought her so much joy to see the tree,” Van Ocker said. “That is what it is all about, making people smile. Showing them they are appreciated. We love this place, and we want to do things we can to make people happy.”
