By Rachel Basinger

Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 12:06 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, November 17, 2012

Marty Savanick is hoping the community will pull together and help her support the local fire departments in the next few weeks.

As a way of giving back, she is hosting the “Collections by Marty Cares” fund drive at her store locations in both Donegal and Scottdale.

This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 10 percent of all sales at the Donegal store will be donated to either the Chestnut Ridge Fire Department, Multiple Sclerosis or the R. Savanick Scholarship for Deaf Education. The customer will have the option to choose which charity they would like their purchase to benefit.

Also as part of the weekend, a fire truck will be in the parking lot for children to see and tour. Call 724-593-7652 for times.

Next weekend, Nov. 24 and 25, the same promotion will be held at the Scottdale store, with 10 percent of all the sales there going solely to the Scottdale Volunteer Fire Department.

Also on Nov. 25, from noon to 3 p.m., a fire truck will be parked across the street in the Standard Bank parking lot.

Savanick encourages shoppers to bring their children to sit in the truck and see the equipment up close. Donations will be accepted.

She said this is the second year for “Collections by Marty Cares.”

“I have two sons who are firemen and I also had a personal need for the fire department when the Donegal store burned down in 1995,” she said. “I understand the great sacrifices volunteer firemen make by donating so much time away from their families to respond not only to fires but also things like accidents, ambulance calls and flooded basements.”

Her son Nate Savanick, a fireman with the Scottdale VFD, said there is always a need for fundraising, which the fire department does all year long.

“We're always trying to meet our budget, so every little bit helps,” he said. “This is a good opportunity for people to do some Christmas shopping and give back to the community as well.”

Rachel Basinger is a freelance writer.

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