WEISSPORT, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A weekend fall festival is doubling as a way to help victims of a fire tragedy near Lehighton. 28/22's Colby Hughes was there to witness the outpouring of support.
The Crisp Air Festival is serving as both a place for fun and for giving back, and the locals are certainly showing their support.
Live entertainment, carnival games, and bounce houses: Downtown Weissport celebrated its second annual Crisp Air Festival. Two vendors used the foot traffic to fundraise for victims of a double block house fire.
"We have a donation box, but all, one hundred percent, of the proceeds from the sales today are going right back to the gentleman, Mr. Wheelock, who lost his family, and then the other couple, Brianna and Devlin, who lost all their belongings in the fire," Tammy Hoffman, secretary at St. Peter's Community Resource Center told 28/22 News.
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That devastating fire late Tuesday night in Franklin Township claimed the lives of a woman and her four children, ranging in ages from one to 14.
"My heart immediately went out to Matt Wheelock, especially, I mean, the gentleman lost his entire family, let alone his house and belongings, and I can't fathom just the sheer loss, and where do you go from there," Hoffman said.
A lemonade vendor on the other side of the park also accepted donations from customers during the three-day festival.
"Since the sign was up yesterday, I've been noticing a lot of people are taking almost all of their change, and they're tipping it into the jar," Sessa King of Sunny Sips Lemonade explained.
The outpouring of support has been felt by everyone involved, and the vendors themselves are happy to be a part of something so heartwarming.
"Just knowing that they're getting it from anybody or anywhere brings me joy. They don't need to know who it's from, they don't need to know where it came from, but as long as they know that we're thinking of them and that we're always praying for them and giving them the best wishes that we can to help them get back on their feet, that's what matters most to me," King added.
Thanks to the community's help, Brianna Smith and Devlin Delaney have been able to find a place to live as they get back on track.
"It'll never remove the grief or the loss, but at least maybe they can rebuild," King said.
"We are thankful for Lehighton and just for this community and the way people have stepped up. We're proud to be part of it," Hoffman said.
Saint Peter's Community Resource Center will continue accepting donations from anyone looking to help out.
For anyone looking to donate,
Saint Peter's location: 177 Main Road, Lehighton
Next official time for drop-offs is this Monday (10/6) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., but people can drop things off on the front porch at any time; there is a black tote outside for items.
Monetary donations and gift cards are most important.
Best way to reach St Peter's: 484-464-4474
A GoFundMe for Matt Wheelock can be found here.
The Weissport Crisp Air Fall Festival resumes Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Weissport Borough Park.
