Franklin Elementary School recently held a fundraiser to benefit Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company. The pizza sale raised a grand total of $2,500. Para educator Brenda Eckley coordinated the fundraiser.

Thanking the students for their support, Lieutenant Thomas Chew of the fire company said, "The students here are some of our best supporters."The funds raised will be used toward the purchase of a new tanker truck. The 1982 Mack truck that was being used by the fire company was taken out of service in July because it did not pass inspection. Since that time, the township has relied on Mahoning Valley, Parryville, Penn Forest, and Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Companies to assist with its tanker truck needs.The total cost to purchase a new tanker truck is approximately $280,000. "We are making progress toward our goal," said Chew.According to Principal Gretchen Laviolette, Franklin Elementary School has conducted a fundraiser each of the last seven years to help make the world a better place."It started in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina when we helped the Red Cross," explained Eckley. Since that time, other causes helped by the school fundraisers include Lehighton Area Pool Pals; Lehighton Memorial Library; a school in New Orleans to help rebuild their school library after Hurricane Katrina; Trees for Troops; and Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company."It began as a way to teach the children, through hands-on manner, volunteerism and giving back to their community. The greatest lesson we instill in them is when we turn over the proceeds to our chosen cause," said Eckley.In the past, the school has held yard sales, car washes, bake sales, and helped to run refreshment stands in order to raise funds for the various projects. This year, they tried something new - a pizza sale.Acording to Eckley, 47 people worked for about six hours to make 740 pizzas. Volunteers included 30 teachers and staff, four students, five PTO members, one school board member, and seven fire company members. One hundred and 17 students and staff sold pizzas for a total of 164 volunteers who helped with this event.The students and staff who were a significant part of the fundraiser helped with the check presentation to representatives of the fire company.Students Alexa Scheirer; Dawson Keiser; Dominick Angelus; Karissa Hough; and Jenna Williams - as well as para educator Ann Shoenberger and custodian Edie Lutsko - each sold 16 pizzas. Student Tyler Poole sold the most pizzas with a total of 25.Students Edie Cordes, Lyle Cordes, Allison Reph, and Brendan Zimmerman helped with making the pizzas.Accepting the check on behalf of the fire company were Lieutenant Chew and firefighters Bart Blakesley and John Venuto.For more information about Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, visit

www.FranklinTwpFireCo.com.