Mark Olving of Summit Hill didn’t let a raging fire that destroyed his fledgling business stop his entrepreneurial efforts or make him bitter. Instead, it helped magnify what has always been his character trait: helping others.

On the morning of Nov. 29, 2016, Olving saw his woodworking shop, Rustic Cut Woodworking, destroyed by flames.

After the devastating blaze in the White Bear section of the community, he rebuilt and quickly resumed operations.

Olving did more than rebuild. He also joined the Diligence Fire Company of Summit Hill, where he has become an officer as if feeling obligated to repay those who responded and worked diligently at extinguishing the flames.

So determined have been his efforts that Olving was awarded the fire department’s 2024 “Firefighter of the Year.” He was presented with the Paul “Pauky” Yuricheck Memorial Award during a gathering at the Hilltop Community Center.

Self-pity doesn’t seem to be in this U.S. Army veteran’s vocabulary, though.

After all, just five years earlier he sustained a broken back, broken arm, and other injuries from an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan.

He also came close to losing his wife and daughter during complications during childbirth.

Fire Chief Shawn Hoben said the first time he met Olving was at that 2016 fire scene.

Kevin Steber, president of the fire company, said within a year, Olving had completely rebuilt and expressed interest in joining the department.

“I toured his new wood shop, and it was amazing,” Steber said.

He said Olving, who is currently a major in the Army Reserve, wanted to join “to help the community and give back to those who helped him at his hour of need.”

While introducing Olving, Steber mentioned the injuries that the honoree had sustained in Afghanistan. Despite the seriousness of the injuries, Olving served out his term in the Army. Steber said that Olving is in the process of completing paperwork that will enable him to be promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Hoben said Olving is very active in the fire department and has even built window simulators for immediate training usage.

He has also managed inventory and assisted with grants.

Hoben said he had asked Olving why he was so dedicated to his military career. Olving’s response was, “I served because I’m honored and humbled for the privilege to be a soldier.”

“He exemplifies this,” Hoben said.

Steber said of Olving, “He has a part of the solution and not part of the problem attitude.”

He said Olving “is never a guy who wants attention or recognition,” but is fully deserving of the award.

Olving is a 2004 graduate of Lehighton Area High School. His wife Kimberly and son Palmer were present for the awards presentation.

There were several other awards presented by the fire department.

They are:

• Karen Horvath, Friend of the Fire Company, for her fundraising efforts. She has hosted a wine tasting event and a do-it-yourself pumpkin cork event that was combined with wine tasting, all of which successfully raised money for the fire department.

She said the next fundraiser she has planned is a Valentine’s event is called “Talk Dirty To Me,” which will feature an array of wines grown in various soils paired with chocolates. Afterward, participants will craft a heart wreath with wine corks while enjoying charcuterie. It will be held Feb. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the firehouse. For more information, e\mail diligencefire@gmail.com or horvaths @ptd.net or text Karen at 570-249-1735.

• Gale I. Miller, special award. The late Gale I. Miller was a hairdresser in Summit Hill. She died on June 22, 2022. Hoben said she left a “generous donation” to the fire department. He said the money will be put to good use because “everything we do at the fire company, we do it for the community.”

• Delrose Awards, Lansford, Business of the Year. Hoben said Chris Henritzy, owner of Delrose Awards, has been very helpful to the fire department.