CLARKS SUMMIT — The Clarks Summit Fire Co. is currently in need of a new fire truck as its ladder truck is 25 years old.
“It’s important to keep the community safe,” said Mari Bowen, vice president of the Clarks Summit Fire Auxiliary. “This is the only truck that comes to the Greater Abington area.”
The Clarks Summit Fire Co. plans to spend no more than $500,000 for a new ladder truck. Since the fire company is a volunteer company, tax dollars fund only 15% of its operating costs. Tax revenue has been stagnant while costs continue to increase. Thus, the fire company needs help raising the $500,000.
The Abington Heights Civic League, which assists people and organizations in the community, has contributed to the goal by donating $5,000 to the fire company. The civic league members wanted to give back to the fire company for serving the Greater Abington area.
“We appreciate how they back the community as a whole,” said civic league president Cheryl O’Hora.
“The Clarks Summit Fire Company is a wonderful organization of dedicated volunteers — one to be very proud of,” Linda Young, civic league past president, added. “The Abington Heights Civic League is very happy and proud to be able to make this donation to them.”
The fire company is appreciative of the civic league’s generous donation.
“We’re excited about the possibility and we’re very thankful for the outpouring of support from the community,” said Mike Lukus, firefighter of Clarks Summit Fire Co. “The civic league saw that the fire company needed help and was generous to help.”
The Clarks Summit Fire Auxiliary, which also supports the fire company by holding fundraising projects, will have a gun raffle and a turkey dinner this fall to also raise funds for a new fire truck.
The fire company is also in need volunteers.
“We are always looking for help,” said Jay Miller, fire chief. “It doesn’t have to be fighting fires. It could be building maintenance, computers, bookkeeping, or cooking for breakfasts (third Sunday of every month).”
