LYKENS - Taking a guiding hand from another community that suffered loss, a newly formed organization in Lykens is attempting to aid others.
The Lykens Disaster Recovery organization has been established, and has set up an account to assist four Lykens families who lost everything in a fatal fire March 2. LDR has consulted members of the Klingerstown Long Term Recovery Committee, which was established as a result of the devastating Flood of 2011, but remains operational to address any future community emergencies.
Representatives from the two groups met March 6 at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Klingerstown to share ideas on ways to get survivors any resources they may need to begin the recovery process.
Volunteers who are serving as representatives for Lykens Disaster Recovery are: Jackie O'Neill, chairperson; Sandra Oxendine, secretary/treasurer; and Ethel Sherman, case manager.
The March 2 fire in the 600 block of Main Street, Lykens, claimed the life of Patricia Scott, 55, of 643 Main St., and critically injured Carrie Ann Husic and her son, Thomas A. Snyder, 12, also at 643 Main St. Husic and Snyder were previously listed in critical condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital. A hospital spokesperson on March 10 listed Husic as being released and had no information on Snyder being at the hospital.
The fire also displaced Christopher and Tresa Schoffstall and their son, Joshua, at 645 Main St., and the first- and second-floor residents of 641 Main St., Sara Miller and Cindy Brezgal.
According to the Lykens Disaster Recovery group, financial contributions are greatly needed to replace everything that was destroyed in the residents' homes.
Donors may contribute in five ways. They can make checks payable to:
- Lykens Disaster Recovery Relief Funds: These donations will be equally divided into the four funds or by individual family.
- The Carrie Husic & Son (Thomas) Fire Relief Fund
- The Schoffstall Family Fire Relief Fund
- Sara Miller Fire Relief Fund
- Cindy Brezgal Fire Relief Fund
Donations may be mailed to Mid Penn Bank, 550 Main St., Lykens, PA 17048. Donations will also be accepted at any of Mid Penn Bank's branch locations, including Lykens, Elizabethville, Dalmatia, Millersburg and Tower City. Visit www.midpennbank.com for a complete list of branch locations.
Lykens fire Chief Terry Sherman also attended the meeting in Klingerstown with his wife, Ethel, and O'Neill.
Members of the KLTRC who met with them were: KLTRC Case Manager Tricia Reed, Becky Kline, Martin Barry, Jim Troutman, interim Pastor Jonathan Jenkins and Les Montford. Montford is also the landlord for 641 and 643 Main St. He and his wife, Karen, operate the Klingerstown General Store, where Reed also works.
Montford had asked Reed if she would be willing to assist volunteers who were interested in starting a recovery-type organization in Lykens.
Reed and the committee members answered questions, stressing that it's important not to rush the survivors in the process. She said it's vital for the recovery committee to keep survivors' conversations confidential and to protect them. She suggested the LDR group keep a log, and as they make contact, refer back to that log. In addition to immediate needs, the families may also need a fireproof and waterproof safe that can help them maintain any important documents that they get replaced, Reed said.
Plans are for the LDR to continue, like the Klingerstown committee has, so the organization will be available to assist in the event of another community disaster or emergency.