Special donation from police, fire chiefs to children whose mother was slain

The three children of the late Seema Singh in Pennsville have been presented with $3,000 to go into a trust fund.

PENNSVILLE TWP. --  It's an example of "the outpouring of love" from a caring community to aid those whose lives have been touched by tragedy.

The chiefs of the township's two fire companies and the police department have donated $3,000 awarded to them in a charity event to three children who lost their mother this summer.

"It's a good opportunity for the fire department to give back to a family in need and help them," said Larry Zimmerman, chief of Pennsville Fire and Rescue Co. No. 1.

Zimmerman joined Deepwater Fire Co. Chief Joseph Hogan and Pennsville Chief of Police Allen J. Cummings Tuesday evening to present the children of the late Seema Singh with the funds. The money will go into a trust fund for the three.

The Singh children -- Nikia, 5, Tejveer, 7, and Richard, 15 -- were each personally presented with a $1,000 check.

The children were all smiles as they interacted with the chiefs and other firefighters and police officers at Town Hall. The kids also got a chance to explore some of the township's fire trucks and police vehicles.

Seema Singh was killed on July 19, allegedly by her husband, Nitin P. Singh, at their apartment on North Broadway in Pennsville.

"It's a tragic incident that occurred to three great kids," said Cummings. "To me, getting the two fire departments and police department together (for this donation) is something that will help them."

Hogan credited Cummings with coming up with the idea to use the charity money the departments received for the children.

"It's good to give back to people who could really use assistance after the tragic event they went through," Hogan said.

The chiefs were each given $1,000 from the Wawa Foundation after taking part in the Hoagies for Heroes event at the grand opening Aug. 19 of the new Pennsville Wawa at North Broadway and Lippincott Avenue.

The chiefs were told they could donate the funds to the charity of their choice.

Cummings said the Wawa charity program will help make a big difference for the the Singh children.

"They are great kids," Cummings said. "The community itself, Pennsville, has done a phenomenal job supporting these children."

Since their mother's death, the three children have lived locally with a family that attends The First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, the same church the Singhs attended.

One of the children's caretakers was at Tuesday's ceremony, but asked to not be identified to help keep private exactly where the children are living.

First responders take part in charity event

"The community support has been off the charts. The outpouring of love from the community has just been incredible," the caretaker said. "People have just reached out from everywhere just wanting to help."

He noted that along with the Pennsville and church community in Delaware, those who knew Seema Singh, 42, from the Collingswood area where she and her husband owned and operated a deli have been tremendously supportive.

The caretaker said the children have returned to school and "they are doing well, they are doing extremely well."

Most importantly, he said, the three children are together.

Along with the three chiefs, Pennsville Police Sgt. Jake Slusher and Ptl. John Starcevich and Deepwater Fire Co. Vice President Madison Chase and Pennsville Fire and Rescue Co. No. 1 President Andy Fredo were on hand to meet the Singh children.

Nitin P. Singh, 46, charged with murdering his wife, remains held in the Salem County Correctional Facility on $1 million bail.

A YouCaring site to aid the children has also been established by The First Baptist Church of Delaware at www.youcaring.com/children-of-seema-singh-607522

So far, that site has raised around $6,000 for the children.

"I was blown away when the chief told me (about the donation)," the children's caretaker said. "I just think it's another example of the overwhelming continued support from the community. It shows what a real family the community of Pennsville is."