SUNBURY, Pa. — He's a man with a van, and on the side of that van are the words "Operation H20" and the name of a community that's suffering: East Palestine, Ohio.
"It's rural America, and that's where I'm from, a small Coal Region town. The actual town is pretty much close to the size population where this happened. I think people realize that when people need help — especially when it comes to water and things like that — they're always looking to help," said John Reidinger, from Paxinos, near Sunbury.
Reidinger and his friend Michael Sedor loaded up a truck with 400 cases of water, more than 11,000 bottles. Over a week, donations poured in from residents and businesses in Northumberland, Montour, Snyder, and Dauphin Counties.
"It just blew up really quick, more than what we expected," Reidinger said.
People who live near the train derailment site in Ohio have been told to use bottled water if they're concerned about contaminants in the drinking water.
When Reidinger heard about this, he reached out to community officials there to see how he could help.
"I've been a volunteer firefighter since I was 14 years old, so I've always been volunteering, donating. You never know when you're going to need it. I could need something tomorrow; my kids could need something tomorrow, my family, and I'd hope people respond in the same way."
Reidinger and Sedor left for Ohio Wednesday morning. They'll hand out the water directly to residents there.
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