Amie Barclay has spent half her life, so far, in law enforcement in this area, and she hopes to continue doing so.

A special fundraiser was held for her on Sunday at the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association to help her with medical costs due to COVID.

“They are trying to raise money for me,” Barclay shared. “Mahoning Township declined all my benefits. Right now I’m being paid on saved time; sick time, vacation time. Starting in September, I won’t be getting a paycheck. So this fundraiser is what my friends and family are doing so I won’t lose my house and take care of my animals at home.”

In November 2021, Barclay said she came down with a sinus infection. The doctor did a COVID test, and it came back positive.

“Two weeks later I had an excruciating headache, the worst headache I’ve ever had in my life,” Barclay explained. “The next day, my fiance found me unresponsive. They called 911, I went to the new St. Luke’s in Franklin Township, then they transferred me to St. Luke’s in Bethlehem by helicopter. I was there from Dec. 1 until about Dec. 18. Then I came back to the old Gnaden Huetten Hospital, which is now a rehab hospital. I finally went home Dec. 28.”

Barclay had developed a brain bleed and needed two brain surgeries. She said when she woke up, her left eye was way off to the left, which caused double vision.

“I couldn’t even pick things up,” she said. “I would try to pick up a small carton of almond milk, and I would end up dropping it.”

Because of a lack of benefits, she has been doing her own physical rehab with weight lifting and work at home. When she was getting some rehab, they gave her a list of exercises she could do at home.

She is now able to lift light loads, she can cut her own grass now, and she can drive short distances.

Barclay has two dogs and six cats. She says having pets helps her.

“Oh, yes,” she replied. “When I first got home, they were all over me. They didn’t leave my side. Even now they know, ‘something’s not right with Mom,’ so they’re close.”

Barclay, a 1990 graduate of Lehighton High School, started her career in law enforcement at the Lehigh County Sheriff’s office in Allentown in 1994. In 1997, she landed a job with the Mahoning Township Police Department, a position she has held for the past 25 years. She also worked part time for Mahanoy City police, and is currently a part-time officer with Lansford and Summit Hill.

Amie described why she chose a career in law enforcement.

“I had an uncle that was a state trooper, and an uncle that was a Lehighton Borough police officer. People always say they want to be a cop to help people, that’s why I wanted to do it. That’s what I’ve done for the last 25 years.”

“My goal is to go back to work. I’m still young yet … I’m only 50. Even though it’s been 25 years at Mahoning, I have a few more years left in me.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation may contact Deb McGowan at dc17deb2482@hotmail.com, Katie Polischak at polischakk@yahoo.com, Beth Barclay at bethbarclay78@gmail.com, or Ryan Long at rlong2015@live.com.