Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1 selling signs to raise needed funds

Aug. 30--PLYMOUTH -- Early on during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1 often visited local hospitals to honor those front line workers for their dedication and commitment to helping people.

So when the pandemic took away the annual Plymouth Alive Kielbasa Festival this year, the fire company was unable to conduct its major fundraising project.

Lori Bolesta, engineer and assistant foreman at the fire company, said the members came up with an idea to raise money and to honor those front line workers.

The project calls for the sale of yard signs -- black and white American flags that read "Back the Red, White and Blue -- red for firefighters, white for emergency medical service workers ad blue for police.

So far, the fire company has sold or reserved more than 400 signs at $10 each. They expect they will have to order more.

All proceeds benefit the fire company, but Bolesta said the signs honor all of those front line workers.

"The project idea was a result of our visits to the hospitals and being inspired by the workers," Bolesta said. To see them working so hard to help their patients was uplifting and inspiring."

Bolesta said the yard signs send a positive message of support for all those unsung heroes that devote their lives to helping others.

She said the money raised will be used to pay bills, like insurance, for the fire company and to pay for needed supplies to better serve the community.

Bolesta said Fire Co. No. 1, established in 1887 -- the first in Plymouth Borough -- has 25 active volunteers and about 75 others who help in various ways.

Lori's father, Jerome Bolesta, serves as the fire company's chief.

How to help

Where to buy: Fire Co. No. 1, 24 Gaylord Ave., Plymouth

Phone orders: call 570-779-9878

Facebook orders: go to Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1

Cost: $10 each

Also: Out of area orders can be shipped.

Benefits: Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1 firefighters, EMS workers; police.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

___

(c)2020 The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)

Visit The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) at www.timesleader.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.