Pocono News Section

Fire Company Cooks up Fundraiser to Help Fire Victim

Fire Company Cooks up Fundraiser to Help Fire Victim - Monday, April 12, 2010 at 04:03AM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Monday April 12 2010
WYOMING, LUZERNE COUNTY - M any of us love spaghetti and meatballs, and on Sunday this classic Italian dinner did more than satisfy some hungry appetites. It also helped a sickly man who recently experienced some bad luck along with his bad health.

Cooks and other volunteers hustled in the kitchen at Wyoming Volunteer Hose Company #2. They worked behind the scenes of a benefit dinner for a West Pittston man who many know as "Skip".

Claude "Skip" Lakey lost his house and all his belongings when an accidental fire struck his Clyde Street home last month. When the fire hit, he was in the hospital getting treatment for breathing problems stemming from a kidney condition that requires dialysis 3-times a week.

The fire turned Skip's world upside down and left him looking for someone, anyone to turn to."He came in the one day and said my house burned down and we had to help," said Melonie Yurek of Wyoming Volunteer Hose Company #2 as she choked back tears.

She never knew she'd get so emotional about helping someone down on their luck. After thinking about Skip's situation, Yurek knew exactly what to cook up. "Everybody eats spaghetti and everybody that comes in here is helping and it's wonderful." Lakey said.

"I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of these people in the valley," said Lakey "It's almost too much for words. Amazing."

"Skip"hopes the fundraiser helps him meet some of the many needs he faces. "I'd like to catch up on my electric bill, get some furniture and get my life back on track again if possible," he said.

His ordeal is made somewhat easier by having so many come to his aid. "People that don't even know me are jumping in to help me out. I can't believe it," he added.

It's something that's equally astounding to the very people who are there for him. "All the donations, all the help in cooking, all the organizing. It's amazing," said Yurek.