LEHIGH TWP., Pa. — A fundraiser gathered more than $10,000 to support local emergency responders who battled the Blue Mountain fire several months ago.
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce said in a release Monday the emergency fundraiser was organized in conjunction with the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce to "provide critical support," to those who fought to contain the blaze that ravaged more than 150 acres.
The blaze erupted early November near Route 248 in Lehigh Township, Fire Commissioner Rick Hildebrand Jr. said when the news first broke.
"In a remarkable show of community support, local businesses and residents stepped in and stepped up, raising a combined total of $12,065."
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce release
What Assistant Chief Brian Krische of the Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Company called "the largest fire we've had in 25 years" was 100% extinguished a month later.
The release said the fire mobilized response efforts from Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon and Berks County emergency response teams.
"But the effort has placed a significant strain on local fire departments, which rely heavily on volunteers and tight budgets," the release said.
"While resources were not in short supply, the fire departments expressed that funds were urgently needed to cover the rising costs of fuel and machinery essential for battling the flames.
"In a remarkable show of community support, local businesses and residents stepped in and stepped up, raising a combined total of $12,065."
A check presentation will take place at 8:45 a.m. Feb. 21 at Neffs National Bank.
'Outpouring of support'
It's the latest effort to assist the crews, after they had to turn away an "overwhelming" amount of donations from the community while they worked to contain the fire.
UntitledFunds will be distributed by the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber Board to regional fire departments in their area that assisted in fighting the fire.
Those include:
- Lehigh Township Fire
- Germansville Fire
- Lynnport Fire Company
- New Tripoli Fire Company
- Laurys Station Fire Company
- Schnecksville Fire Company
- Neffs Fire Company
- Tri-Clover Fire Company
- Slatington Fire Company
- Diamond Fire Company
- Friedens Fire Company
- Slatedale Fire Company
- Emerald Fire Company
"We commend the bravery and dedication of our local firefighters and first responders. The outpouring of support we’ve received from the community and our local businesses was heartwarming to see. So many come people coming together to help those who are working to protect our community.”
Jessica O’Donnell Gower, executive vice president of the Affiliated Chambers at the GLVCC
"We commend the bravery and dedication of our local firefighters and first responders," Jessica O’Donnell Gower, executive vice president of the Affiliated Chambers at the GLVCC, said in the release.
"The outpouring of support we’ve received from the community and our local businesses was heartwarming to see. So many come people coming together to help those who are working to protect our community.”