Wednesday, October 3, 2001
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Wednesday, October 3, 2001 |
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Over $135,000 raised for victims of terrorist attacks; local woman's brother among missing firefighters By JOHN
MUNFORD
When local firefighters hit the streets seeking financial assistance for victims of the terrorist attacks in New York, Fayette countians responded in a big way, donating over $135,000 in recent boot drives. The collections will be of particular concern to Peachtree City resident Mary Lynch, whose brother, firefighter Michael Boyle, is among the missing at the World Trade Center scene. Boyle was a member of engine 33, company 9 based out of the Bowery area and was just getting off a 24-hour shift when he joined others in responding to the scene, according to Peachtree City Fire Chief Stony Lohr said. Lohr believes Lynch has traveled to New York to find out more about her brother's status. The Citizen was unable to reach Lynch at her home in Peachtree City. Over $80,000 was reported by the Fayetteville Fire Department and the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services, while the Peachtree City Fire Department reported raising over $55,000 in the boot drives, which took place Sept. 21-23. "Our heartfelt thanks goes to the entire county," said Capt. Pete Nelms of the county Fire Department. "It has been overwhelming." Peachtree City Chief Lohr reported that one local company, Hanco Systems, donated $10,000 to the boot drive. Anthony Michael's Salon raised over $1,100 Sunday with a cut-a-thon event, Lohr noted. Several youths donated funds they raised through lemonade stands, Lohr added. Nelms said one couple walked into a county fire station and wrote a donation check representing the woman's birthday present. Another youth cut grass and did yard work all week to raise money for the relief efforts. There were also several individuals who donated $1,000, Nelms added. The funds raised by Fayette County and Fayetteville firefighters will be donated to the American Red Cross and the New York Fire Relief Fund, both of which have been confirmed as legitimate charities assisting victims in the aftermaths of the attacks, Nelms said. Peachtree City's funds will go to the New York Fire-911 Relief Fund, which is the consolidated fund for firefighting personnel sponsored by several professional firefighting organizations, Lohr said. "We made the effort to give the community a chance to do something to help people up there," Nelms said. "I've never seen community support like this here before." Nelms said he hopes the collective enthusiasm for volunteering spills over into the near future.
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