Etna Volunteer Fire Department hosts St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt fundraiser
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Etna Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt fundraiser but the money won’t pay for turnout gear or new equipment.
It will help feed borough neighbors who are struggling during the covid-19 pandemic.
Proceeds will benefit Bread of Life Food Pantry, housed in Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church along Locust Street.
Shirts cost $20 and must be ordered by Feb. 18 at 412-782-1333 or etnavfd.org.
Delivery is expected the first week of March, in plenty of time to celebrate the Irish holiday.
“We have been watching our neighbors work very hard and be so kind to one another during these crazy times,” Fire Chief Greg Porter said.
“Our members wanted to find a way to help.”
The fundraiser bucks a regional trend of volunteer fire departments struggling to raise money. While it might be uncommon for the VFD to host a fundraiser for a fellow nonprofit, Porter said “our food bank has been exceptionally busy this year, and we wanted to try and do what we can do to help our neighbors.”
Members devised the T-shirt sale because it’s unique and could appeal to people across the board. Porter didn’t expect there to be a huge demand but has found himself receiving orders from across the country.
In the department’s first design of a holiday shirt, the black short-sleeved T shows a Celtic cross and the company’s call numbers – 149 — emblazoned with the words “Pride of E-Town.”
Bread of Life Manager Alexis Weber said her group is blessed by the help from the volunteer fire department and the entire town.
“Ever since the covid-19 pandemic, the community has rallied,” Weber said.
“The police offered rides to our seniors who were afraid to come to the pantry, several churches held fundraisers, there will be a benefit blood drive at All Saints and now the Etna VFD is sponsoring the sale of T-shirts. That is community support.”
The Etna VFD provides emergency services to the borough as well as mutual aid to neighboring communities of Aspinwall, Hampton, Millvale, O’Hara, Reserve, Ross, Shaler and Sharpsburg.
Porter, a member of the department for 34 years, has served as chief for 22. He heads a robust crew of 41 firefighters, 10 fire police and 14 junior members. Volunteers typically respond to between 700 and 800 calls a year.
Borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage isn’t surprised about the department’s willingness to pitch in.
“We are so proud of our VFD. Times are tough right now, especially for volunteer organizations who cannot host their normal fundraisers,” Ramage said. “But here are our Etna volunteer firemen hosting a fundraiser for the food pantry, helping their neighbors once again.”