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PLYMOUTH — Young Brian Lyons has a dream, and he may be getting closer to achieving it.
The 10-year-old Plymouth boy has been trying to raise $14,000 to help Elm Hill Hose Company No. 3 purchase a critical piece of rescue equipment used to cut open damaged vehicles.
Fire Chief Brian Oppelt said he spoke to Genesis Fire Equipment in Pittsburgh and learned the Combi-Tool that Brian has been raising funds for can be obtained at a significant discount, just over $9,500.
“The sales representative heard about Brian’s story and called me and asked for a few days to work on the pricing,” Oppelt said. “He called back with the discounted price, which made our goal a little more attainable.”
Brian’s mother, Linda Uren, said her son was thrilled to hear that news.
“He’s really pumped now,” she said. “He hopes he can raise all the money at the Kielbasa Festival next weekend.”
The 16th annual Plymouth Kielbasa Festival will be held Friday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Aug. 10, in downtown Plymouth. Brian will set up his table to sell lemonade right in the middle of town. His mom said he will be set up in front of the West Side Flea Market.
Uren said Brian has raised about $2,000 so far and he is confident he will reach the goal of $9,514. She said lemonade will be $1 per 8 ounce cup at the festival.
Brian has another dream, too: He would like to appear on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” his mother said, and wants all members of the Elm Hill Hose Company No. 3 with him.
“This kid is full of dreams for our community,” Uren said. “I’m so proud of him and I’m proud of the support he has received from everyone.”
Uren said Brian, who has autism, is adjusting to his new-found fame, although it was always easy for him.
“When Brian was small, he was shunned often,” she said. “It was the fire department that got him to open up. Now he’s talking to reporters and speaking into microphones. He didn’t even speak until he was 4. This has been a huge milestone for him. I’m not stopping him for the world.”
Uren said Brian thinks it’s “pretty cool” to be somewhat famous now.
“He really is kind of shy,” she said. “But I see him more and more coming out of his shell. Chief Oppelt has been with him most of the way and that has helped Brian deal with everything.”
Oppelt, 45, has been with the fire company for almost 16 years, the last three as chief. He said he has known Brian for four years and said he is a special kid.
“There’s really nothing else you can say,” Oppelt said. “As soon as he gets some money in his pocket, he gives it to us to buy equipment. His first lemonade sale he raised $150 and gave it to us to buy a sawsall (reciprocating saw). Most kids his age would want to go by computer games or toys or whatever. Brian wants to raise money to help make his community better. Brian gives you hope for the future.”
Oppelt said getting the Combi-Tool for the fire department would mean a lot in saving lives and extracting people from vehicles.
“If we get this tool, I hope we put it on the fire engine and never have to use it,” Oppelt said. “That would be ideal, but not likely. It will be used and used a lot. And it will save lives.”
If you can’t make it to the Kielbasa Festival, Uren said donations can be made at Brian’s Facebook page — Jr. Fire Chief Brian Lyons.
Brian will be a fifth grade student at State Street Elementary Center in the fall.
Asked why he decided to become a major fundraiser in his hometown, Brian said, “I want to do what I can to help my fire department save people’s lives.”