A community in Carbon County is rallying around its volunteer fire departments and law enforcement to make sure they have the supplies to stay hydrated while on emergency scenes.

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Nesquehoning is holding an ongoing water collection drive to give to the three fire departments that serve the Nesquehoning community, as well as to the borough police department.

Nancy Kerestus of St. John said she saw a post on Facebook about the need for volunteer firefighters to stay hydrated with the warmer weather.

Recently, the borough has had two large fires in the borough, which required a lot of manpower.

The church has collected 32 cases of water, which are now being distributed to the departments.

“The first responders need to know they are being supported by their community,” Kerestus said. “The church is part of that community so we felt if we did this, maybe it would kick start it for other people to do the same thing.”

Mayor Tom Kattner said that this is a great initiative to show neighbors helping neighbors.

“We’re doing something nice here and I’m pretty proud of that,” he said.

John McArdle, fire chief for the Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1, said this donation is much appreciated by not only his department, but will be for all three departments.

“It’s important because we’ve got to keep our firemen hydrated and this certainly will help us accomplish that,” he said, adding that the departments keep water on the firetrucks for the volunteers but it is nice to have the community helping supply that necessity. “We certainly appreciate the church and the many people who donated.”

Police officer Michael Weaver echoed McArdle’s thoughts, thanking the church and the community for helping the volunteers and law enforcement with this gesture.

“I think in today’s society, this is huge,” he said of the donations.

Father Robert Teklinski of St. John the Baptist, said the outreach that the church is doing “is part of the Christian obligation to take care of our community.

“St. John is a beacon in this church and the church is a beacon in this community, the biggest building in town really, so to spread the Gospel is not just preaching it, but doing acts of kindness and Christian charity for others, especially our first responders.

“This is the very least we could do,” he added. “It is providing them with the water they need when fighting fires and enforcing the laws to protect our community.”

The church is continuing to collect water and monetary donations for the fire departments indefinitely.

To donate, either call the church rectory at 570-669-6623 to schedule a drop off time, see Kerestus; or mail a check made out to St. John the Baptist Church, with a note for water donation, to 9 W. Railroad St., Nesquehoning, PA 18240.