Only days after returning home from the hospital, Robert Rehrig, 20, a recent Tamaqua hit-and-run victim who is well-known for the roadside treasures he collects for friends and family, was already in search of new items.

On Clay Street he recently recovered a clock radio thrown out for trash.Robert, a Tamaqua senior who participates in the Special Olympics and is diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and other mental conditions, suffered multiple injuries two weeks ago after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on Lafayette Street.He is taking pain killers and other medications and can only breathe out of one nostril.His injuries included a frontal contusion, two broken eyes sockets, a broken nose, broken sinus plates, a missing tooth, a cracked tooth, deformed top teeth and other injuries.In addition he is also suffering from a slight hematoma, headaches, hesitations, dizziness, and occasional loss of equilibrium and other conditions. Robert will require many more months of dental work and doctors' visits.Despite all his medical problems, Robert is now on a personal mission to help recent Barnesville fire victims who lost everything following a fire that destroyed their home and all their belonging on Brockton Mountain Road in Ryan Township.While undergoing treatment and surgery at the St. Luke's Hospital's Bethlehem Campus in Fountain Hill, Robert, read about the fire in the TIMES NEWS, and knew he wanted to help these victims by collecting and donating items.Since returning home last week, he has already compiled a large inventory of items to give to the fire victims, such as vacuum cleaners, TVs, microwave, chairs, lamps, pots, pans, storage racks, pet supplies, and many other items.The Rehrigs stated their appreciation to passer-by Alyssa Frey of Tamaqua for calling 911 after she noticed Robert lying in a pool of blood following his accident.While Robert was in the hospital, his teacher Andy Schwalm and fellow classmates of his school, Schuylkill Intermediate Unite 29 of MarLin, made get-well cards for him.He has them prominently displayed in his room. Robert, who missed two weeks of school, and his mother, Jennifer, were greeted with a standing ovation as they made a quick stop by the school cafeteria.Jennifer said it felt great to see how much the school cared about Robert.While in the hospital, Robert was known to joke with the nurses, and shared his balloons with them.Gabe, Robert's father, pointed out that all the St. Luke's Hospital's doctors, nurses and staff were very good, and couldn't have been more helpful.Robert was also reunited with his heroes during a late-night visit held recently at the Rehrig's home on Washington Street.One of the first responders on scene was Tamaqua volunteer firefighter and Hope's Towing employee Justin McCarroll, who was quick to provide detailed facts about Robert's condition to the communications center. Tamaqua Police Officer and lead investigator Matt Bynon was also one of the first responders to assist on scene.Officer Bynon pointed out that the quick success of the investigation was a team effort by all surrounding police departments and state police units.The Rehrigs also stressed their appreciation to ambulance driver Keith Oliphant Sr. and his son Kyle Oliphant for acting fast to inform the family of what had happened to Robert.The Rehrigs chose not to attend the arraignment of the hit-and-run suspect, Steven Kupetz, 18, of Tamaqua, pointing out they've been through enough and felt Robert wasn't well enough to go either.Jennifer also pointed out that all hit-and-run drivers should lose their license."I find myself driving more careful," says Jennifer.Robert doesn't remember too much of the incident.He said he only remembered that he saw a vision of his cousin, Ronnie "Little Ron" Yandrasitz, who died in Daytona Beach Florida about four months ago after a vehicle also struck him. Only three days prior to the Robert's accident, the Rehrigs held a memorial service for Yandrasitz in Coplay.The Rehrig's mentioned that medical bills have accumulated fast and still continue to rise, pointing out that the PennSTAR bill alone was $19,284. The Rehrigs are hoping the Kupetz family has enough insurance to cover all these bills.Subway, at 36 West Broad St. in Tamaqua, is collecting monetary donations for Robert.His mother stated that the accident might have been a blessing in disguise, as doctors found a renal cyst in Robert's left kidney. They aren't sure if it is malignant, as they are still waiting for blood work.Robert and his family expressed their appreciation to all the paramedics, police, firefighters, PennSTAR flight crew, fire police, classmates and community members for all their help and support during his recovery.