News

May 13, 2008

Oprah helps make NEPA safer place

$10,000 from Big Give, fundraiser proceeds used for smoke detectors.

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – More than 1,000 smoke detectors were delivered to the city Monday afternoon as part of Oprah Winfrey’s Big Give.

The detectors, purchased with money given by Winfrey to WNEP-TV and proceeds from a recent fundraiser, were bought because of the high number of fire-related deaths in the area.

Chris Buchanan, firefighter and vice president of Wilkes-Barre City Firefighters Local 104, said 22 people have died this year as a result of fires in northeast Pennsylvania – four within the city of Wilkes-Barre.

“That was the big push for this,” Buchanan said.

Wilkes-Barre and Scranton firefighters were given $10,000 through WNEP and Oprah’s Big Give to buy the smoke detectors through Operation Save a Life.

“The money was given to WNEP and Oprah said make it grow, so we did,” Buchanan said.

An April 12 chili cook-off held at the Scranton Cultural Center and hosted by the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton firefighters, unions and auxiliaries, brought in more than $6,000.

That, with the money from Winfrey, totaled $16,000 and was used to purchase smoke detectors to be distributed throughout Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

The Kidde Safety detectors were sold to the cities at a special rate, and divided between them early Monday morning.

Approximately 1,500 smoke detectors are available to Wilkes-Barre residents at two per household.

“You need detectors. In the event there’s a fire, you have to get out,” Buchanan said. “This is your chance at getting out alive.”

The smoke detectors are available because of the unions and ladies auxiliaries, Buchanan said.

“The unions between the two cities made this happen,” Buchanan said. “They genuinely care about doing stuff like this and it worked out well (for the city).”

Want a detector?

Smoke detectors, with batteries included, are available to city residents at two per household, with proof of residency.

Detectors can be picked up at Wilkes-Barre city fire headquarters, Ross Street, or by making arrangements by calling 208-4260, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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