By Amanda Christman
Standard-Speaker
BUTLER TWP., Pa. — When disaster strikes a first responder leaps into action.
That’s what some local firefighters, police and ambulance personnel were thinking as they watched and read about the destructive course Hurricane Harvey took in Texas when it made landfall in late August.
They wanted to do something to help those first responders and their families, who worked through — and during the aftermath — of the fierce storm, said Butler Twp. policeman George Keifer.
He said he couldn’t imagine working a 15-hour day — or even longer — and then coming home to nothing because the storm took away everything for a lot of people.
“At the end of the day, you’re there to help,” Keifer said.
But, the police, ambulance and firefighters lost everything, too, John Smith, a lieutenant with Valley Regional Ambulance, said.
Valley Regional Fire and EMS teamed up with the Fraternal Order of Police Christina Lodge 84 — comprised of police officers from West Hazleton, Freeland, Butler Twp., Conyngham, Weatherly and Sugarloaf Twp. — to organize a fundraiser and send a little help to their brothers and sisters in Texas in time for Christmas.
“Bowl for Boots & Badges” will be held Dec. 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Chacko’s Family Bowling Center, 195 N. Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-Barre.
The cost is $25 per person and includes shoe rental, a large pizza and a soft drink. Bowling teams will consist of 4 to 6 people. Tricky trays and a 50-50 raffle will also be held.
Organizers are looking for donations from businesses to help offset costs, along with $50 lane sponsors and items that can be used for a tricky tray auction.
Donations to the cause can be arranged by calling Kristyna Keifer at 570-582-6556.
Chacko’s will be donating $10 back to the cause for each lane used in the event and all the money raised will be sent to an FOP lodge in Texas and then dispersed, Keifer said. The money could be used for families of first responders or for departments to replace equipment they may have lost to the storm.
The fundraising committee hopes to have the donation sent out around Christmas time.
Copyright 2017 Standard-Speaker