SHAMOKIN - A banquet committee for the volunteer Shamokin Fire Bureau is seeking donations from area merchants to offset the cost of the annual Firefighters' Banquet on April 7.
The banquet is held to honor area volunteer firefighters for their personal and professional sacrifices made in responding to emergencies and non-emergencies.
"Area firefighters give up countless hours of their time each year to serve their community from fires and other natural disasters," Rick Jilinski, banquet chairman, wrote in a letter to The News-Item.
"As many of you are aware, this year was exceptional with the September flooding. Many of our volunteers spent countless hours away from their families to help others even though some experienced losses of their own."
Jilinski cited crews from Friendship Fire Company, which suffered tremendous losses but in the process of serving the community, had no time to save company equipment.
The banquet committee raised ticket prices to cover the increased cost of the meal but were unable to cover all banquet costs, which is why the fire bureau is turning to area merchants for help.
Checks can be made payable to Shamokin Fire Bureau, P.O. Box 403, Shamokin 17872.