Two Street pitching in to help family of fallen female firefighter
Tragedy struck early Tuesday morning as Philadelphia firefighter Joyce Craig-Lewis was killed fighting a blaze in the West Oak Lane section of the city, the first female firefighter in the history of city to lose her life in the line of duty.
Craig-Lewis leaves behind two children and neighbors in Pennsport and Whitman are looking to honor her memory by handing out buckets to Mummer’s Clubs and area businesses to collect donations for the family of the fallen 11-year veteran.
Matt Snyder, member of the Froggy Carr, said the plan is to place 45 blue buckets at each New Year’s Club, bar and stores in the neighborhood. It’s as simple as dropping your extra change in the bucket. Snyder said that you can find them at local businesses like John’s Roast Pork, Moonshine, Doc’s Union Pub, 2nd Street Brew House, Mick Daniel’s, McKenna’s, O’Jung’s and Dee’s in Pennsport and Coley’s in Whitman.
You can also find donation buckets at the Mummer’s Clubs in the area including Froggy Carr, Shooting Stars, The Avenuer’s, The Joker’s.
“The Pennsport & Whitman neighbors have always come through for our police, fire & military men and women,” Snyder said. “ln our eyes and hearts, they are heroes and if one falls we help their families.”
Buckets will be out until Dec. 22 or 23, at which point they will take all of the donations to Engine 64 by Christmas Eve, the home station of Craig-Lewis. “I know it wont make their [family’s] Christmas a happy one,” said Snyder. “We just want them to know we care down here and their mom is our hero.”
Funeral services for Craig-Lewis have been set for Sat. Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at Batchelor Bros. Funeral Services, 7112 N. Broad St., according to The Inquirer. The “firefighter’s firefighter” leaves behind a 16-year-old son and 16-month-old daughter.
Snyder said that if a Two Street club or bar would like to make a donation by check, please make it out to “Joyce Craig-Lewis Family” and that no cash will be accepted after Dec. 23. Donations will be made in the name of The Mummer’s Friends and Neighbors.
You can find more info on Pennsport Civic’s Facebook Page.
So good to see the great effort and support for the family of someone who was a real hero. Bravo Two Street. I hope all of us readers can bolster the support with a donation.