Thanks to partnership efforts between community organizations, a local volunteer fire company has some additional funds to purchase smoke detectors for local residents. The Carbon County Community Foundation recently facilitated a donation between St. Luke’s University Health Network and Penn Forest Township Fire Co. No. 1. Representatives presented the funds to Fire Chief Tom Lynd on Wednesday at the St. Luke’s Carbon Campus.

When their volunteers go out on calls and find a home that is in need, they always install a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector before leaving.

“Running out of detectors was a quite a surprise,” said Chief Lynd. “We started the year with 16 and by the end of January they were all handed out. I have been buying detectors as needed to have on the trucks. Our operating budget this year will be very tight, so the donation is greatly appreciated.”

Penn Forest has an agreement with a local hardware store to be able to buy the smoke detectors at-cost.

The store also donates some detectors for distribution.

“This is an example of the power of a community foundation and the collaboration that exists here in Carbon County,” said Sharon Alexander, CCCF president. “I received a call from Alice Wanamaker at the Carbon Chamber, who had heard about the need Penn Forest was experiencing and wanted to connect them with the Carbon County Community Foundation. I reached out to our donors and partners like St. Luke’s, and we were able to help generate these funds for Penn Forest.”

The Carbon County Community Foundation has 30 charitable funds under its umbrella and is always adding more. The funds support a variety of causes and organizations in the region.

The Carbon County Community Foundation was formed in 2015 with the mission to improve the quality of life for residents of the Carbon County region, now and forever. The foundation exists to simultaneously be a philanthropic leader, a community resource and a financial steward.

Learn more about CCCF at cccfoundpa.org or by calling 855-545-1311.