LENOXVILLE, Pa. — Alan has been in and out of the kitchen at the Clifford Fire Company for its biggest breakfast fundraiser of the year.
They call it the Christmas Care Breakfast.
But the members here are not raising funds for their fire company.
“All the proceeds from this breakfast goes out to the needy people of our area, Clifford Township, and surrounding. So it's 100% giving back to the community,” said Alan Fortuner, Clifford Fire Company President.
Through the money raised at the pancake breakfast, the volunteers help stuff the stockings of their neighbors in need with grocery store gift cards.
While she has been planning the fundraiser for months, Ellie said her favorite part is knowing she helped a family have food on the table this holiday season.
“There's a lot of families out there when you give them your gift cards, they're so appreciative they start crying. And they're just thankful for it,” Ellie Defazio, Clifford Ladies Auxiliary President said.
This fundraiser is a Christmas tradition the Clifford Fire Company has kept in the firefighter family for decades.
“About 30 years ago, we got a donation that they've entrusted us to donate to someone in need in the area. So we decided to keep this thing going,” explained Fortuner.
“And you have generation after generation that are still here doing it,” Defazio added.
Last year, the group raised $4,500 to assist their neighbors during the holiday season.
But even after the Christmas decorations are put away, the Clifford Fire Company is still thinking of those families in need.
“We also keep a little extra, you know, just in case it's needed throughout the year, for a house fire that people need,” Fortuner mentioned.
Whether it is responding to a fire, or putting food on the table, the Clifford Fire Company is sticking to its mission; helping people get through the hardest times of their life together.
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