With the world still recovering from the pandemic, times can be tough, especially for emergency services that depend on volunteers and the community to keep the doors open.

To help, the Sokol Citizens Club of Nesquehoning recently presented $1,000 checks to the members of Nesquehoning Hose Company, Hauto Volunteer Fire Company and New Columbus Fire Company, as well as the borough police department.

“We want to thank them for their services to the community,” said Anthony DeMarco, president of the Sokol Citizens Club, noting that the club aims to support as many Panther Valley and Nesquehoning organizations as they can.

Representatives of the three borough departments were also very happy of the support.

Hauto Fire Company Chief David Walls said this was much appreciated.

“I think we all appreciate this,” said John McArdle, fire chief for Nesquehoning Hose Company 1. “Especially with everything going on, we’re still trying to recover from COVID and a lot of people are unemployed and you know, the fire department has bills of their own and certainly we have to be able to stay afloat and this certainly helps.

“We appreciate the Sokol Clubs efforts with helping us.”

In addition to donations, the fire companies are always looking for more volunteers, whether it is for firefighting or people to help organize and run fundraisers for the departments.

This is the third year the Sokol Club has given larger donations to the fire departments and borough police.