A Hometown resident pioneered a group donation to the Rush Township police department.

Tom Lisella spearheaded the initiative that contributed a total of $10,000 to the department.

“My feelings about policemen, especially the local police, without them, we’re lost,” said Lisella.

“State police are covering so many jurisdictions. Frackville is probably our closest barracks. By the time they get here - they may have two cars on the road - whatever is going to happen will already have taken place.”

The money will go directly toward protective vests for Rush officers.

“I thought to myself, what can I do as a person to protect those people? I did some research into protective vests and I saw that they’re $5 grand apiece if they have a center plate, which is the best protection,” Lisella said.

Local donors included Dianne and Tom Lisella; Brian and Kylie Seitz, Seitz Brothers; George Mermon and Jen Markovic, Mermon Motors; Tony Odorizzi and Jeff Bowe (Bowe & Odorizzi Law); Lisa Scheller (Silberline); Basile’s Italian Delight Restaurant; Cal Hill, Cal’s Tire and Auto; Tammy Sword, Tammy Sword Realty; Mary Beth Leitzel, State Farm Insurance and the Mauch Chunk Trust Company.

Lisella was the solicitor for many municipalities during his career and is happy to help the Rush department.

“I see the Rush Township police making stops. They don’t know who’s in that car. They don’t know if a guy has a pistol ready. When they walk up to the window, they could blow them away. Most of their stops are at night, I just can’t imagine doing that job. Can you imagine walking up to someone’s car?”

“I have to tell you, nobody that I called hesitated. Nobody,” Lisella said. “I tried to form a composite group that would reflect multiple businesses. I relied on Brian and my own people that I knew and were familiar with.

“The people said this feels good. This feels like we are expressing how we feel. A lot of people say I’ll help out and they never carry through. But these people did, and they didn’t hesitate.”