The York Dispatch
FELTON, Pa. — The North Hopewell-Winterstown Volunteer Fire Company is raising money for the headstone of one of its fallen firefighters.
When 24-year-old Cory Haley of Red Lion was jogging down Winterstown Road on Christmas Eve, he was struck by two vehicles. After the accident, he was taken to York Hospital, where he died in the operating room.
Now, the fire company he volunteered at for three years is giving back.
Honoring Haley: The fire company got involved when Haley’s family asked for help with memorial expenses, said Fire Chief Shanan Poe.
He said the company decided to raise money for Haley’s headstone “so that nobody would forget how good of a person he was.”
The young firefighter was preparing to join the U.S. Air Force and stayed in shape by jogging and hitting the gym, Poe said. At the station, Haley studied so relentlessly to be in the force that he offered to pay the electric bill, he said.
So his headstone will reflect that dedication, probably with a photo and a brief story of a fireman who would help out anybody, Poe said.
“When somebody reads it, they’ll actually know,” he said.
Strong response
The fire company posted about the fundraiser on its Facebook page Saturday afternoon.
“Within 10 minutes, we raised over $150,” Poe said.
The company has collected more than $400 in donations, but with pledges from organizations and local shops, that number is likely to rise quickly, he said.
“I’m sure it’s over $1,000 already,” Poe said.
The page has also seen traffic from firefighters across the United States, he said. With Haley’s viewing tonight and funeral on Monday, there could be anywhere from a hundred to 800 firefighters who show up to remember him, Poe said.
“Probably a couple hundred firefighters from all over the country,” he said.
As for the fire company, Poe said, it’s all about giving back to a dedicated, passionate volunteer.
“It’s my job to make sure that he has the type of funeral he deserves,” Poe said.
How to help
Donations for Haley’s headstone can be mailed to or dropped off at the North Hopewell-Winterstown Volunteer Fire Company station, 12246 Winterstown Road, Felton, Pa. 17322. Please mark donations “Attn: Cory Haley fund.”