Last weekend, Nesquehoning first responders, as well as borough council banded together to show that working together can get the job done.

Volunteers from each of the three fire companies that serve the borough, as well as council members, family and friends, participated in a boot drop drive to help the all volunteer departments.

The weather was ideal for the event and the amount of motorists who stopped and gave showed what a community could do if it worked together.

By the end of the eight-hour event, $5,100 was collected.

Each of the fire companies will receive $1,700 to use toward keeping the borough safe.

I have to say that in today’s upside world, there are still good people who care about the people around them.

There are good initiatives.

And there is still good in this world, even though most of the time, it is overshadowed by the bad.

Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find that diamond mixed in with the coal.

Last weekend’s example was just that.

Councilwoman Lois Kuba and I chatted briefly following the event and she is right, “With today’s costs, they need every extra penny they can get.”

These men and women give their all for their community, as well as the surrounding areas to keep our homes safe so we should support them in any way possible.

They give up time with their families when emergencies happen.

They roll out of bed at all hours of the day and night when the call comes in.

They aren’t paid.

They do this because they want to help.

Some may know what it is like to have disaster take their home or their belongings.

While some do it just because they feel it is the right thing to do.

Firefighters and all first responders run toward the scene when civilians run away (or in today’s world, turn on the camera on their phone to livestream the tragedy unfolding before them).

In addition to volunteering their time, training for emergencies that may or may not ever happen and preparing themselves for the unthinkable, they are also in need of support to keep the lights on, the engines running and the doors open.

They need to hold breakfasts and bingos; festivals and other activities just to raise the money they need to cover the costs.

Turnout gear is not cheap.

Fire apparatus is expensive.

And selling bleenies will only cover so much.

So I challenge you, as we end National Fire Prevention Week, take the time, write a check and donate it to your local fire company.

Every little bit helps.