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LUZERNE — Among the flavors at Kernel Moonies Bootleg Kettle Corn, there is a shelf of blue and white popcorn.
The special popcorn was the brainchild of Swoyersville Mayor Chris Concert. The mayor is known for his out-of-the box ways to support his community, and his latest fundraiser is no different.
Concert coordinated with Justin Taylor, owner of the Main Street popcorn shop, as a way to bring in some money for the Swoyersville Community Ambulance. For every small bag of the blue and white popcorn bought, Taylor will donate 75 cents; and for a large bag, the donation will be $1.25.
“Whether it’s $100 or $1,000 … every dollar adds up,” Concert said.
Concert met with the owners of the popcorn shop to decide on a flavor for the fundraiser. He said he picked blue and white for blueberries and cream.
“It represents the Swoyersville Sailors,” he said.
The fundraiser started Thursday and was expected to run until Saturday, but Concert said he’s going to extend the date because of the popularity of the idea.
Concert said Wyoming Mayor Bob Boyer bought out the shelf around closing during the first day of the fundraiser. Boyer could not be reached for comment.
Both Wendy Specht , secretary for the ambulance company, and Concert were thrilled with the outpouring of support.
“I put everything I have into helping the community,” an impassioned Concert said.
State Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne, was one of the first to buy a bag.
“It’s delicious,” he said.
Kaufer noted he and a friend finished the bucket already and he’s “due for another one.”
“It’s certainly unique,” the state representative said of the fundraiser.
Specht said she was “thrilled” the mayor was doing something for them.
“We were surprised,” she said about Concert’s Facebook post acknowledging the sale. The mayor has spent the majority of the first two days of the sale at the shop helping drive sales.
Specht said the money raised can be used for expenses, utilities or equipment.
“We depend on the support of the community,” she said.
The all-volunteer association has fallen on hard times in recent years.
During a January meeting, Swoyersville council voted to give the association until March to pay past debts to Trans-Med Ambulance, Times Leader records indicate.
In addition, the association, through Pringle borough, received a $40,000 local share account (gaming) grant to help to them purchase the building its currently in.
Concert encouraged residents to “pop on in” to the shop, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.