The time-honored axiom “It takes a village” was never more evident than on Tuesday afternoon when representatives of service organizations in Lansford, Nesquehoning and Summit Hill visited Panther Valley High School in Summit Hill to present funds for a small but important part of the educational process in the district.

Organized by Summit Hill Mayor Jeff Szczecina, the initiative has resulted in the district having police radio communications with the Carbon County Communications Center that will allow the district’s police officer, Rich Holota, to have immediate correspondence with responders.

The Summit Hill American Legion Post 316, Lansford American Legion Post 123 and Nesquehoning Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8008 provided equal-share donations of $325 each for the district to by a Motorola portable radio with a battery, antenna and charger, as well as a lapel microphone for Holota to use on school property. The $972.99 purchase was made from P & D Emergency Services, Stroudsburg, through Szczecina’s efforts.

A retired Pennsylvania state police corporal who served 25 years in law enforcement, the mayor knows all about communications and put into motion the effort to make the purchase for the district after discussions with Holota, also a 25-year Pennsylvania state police officer before retiring.

He said, “When I talked with Rich, it was pretty evident his frustration with not having communications.”

Before the radio purchase, Holota had to use a walkie-talkie to relay his situation to the school office in cases of emergency or need, and an office employee would have to make a call to 911, if necessary, Szczecina said, pointing out if an altercation took place in a school hallway or parking lot, the police officer would be at a disadvantage because of the lack of communications.

Now, he said, the radio is programmed to the communications center and calls are immediately handled. Other police departments, he added, will be able to hear transmissions and respond to the school in a more timely manner, if needed.

Holota, in his first year as a school officer, said the radio is not only “much appreciated,” but, he said, “It helps with the safety of the students and the officer,” adding, “Time is valuable.

The school officer said his first year on the job is “very different” from when he wore the state police uniform.

“We’re dealing with juveniles and that changes things. But I have enjoyed working with school officials and the kids, with whom I develop relationships,” a lot to the point that they call him “Officer Rich.”

Szczecina said he contacted the three service organizations about donating toward the project and members of the Legions and VFW “said yes immediately, without hesitation.”

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Schools David McAndrew Jr. thanked Daniel Wehr, Nathan Krajcirik and Craig Strohl Jr., commanders of the posts, for their members’ generosity.

“It’s another great example of the community supporting Panther Valley, and, in this case, helping to make sure the children are safe,” McAndrew said.

He added, “We’re appreciative of the generous donation and support from our local veterans.”

The superintendent said the “shared services agreement” Panther Valley has with the four PV communities is also a great example of how “everyone works together.”

He said each of those towns have been instrumental in helping the district exercise “fiscal responsibility by providing equipment and manpower to get other jobs done within the district.

“Everyone works together to make sure the students have every opportunity to be successful,” McAndrew said.