North Penn Goodwill, Inc. held a 75th anniversary celebration Thursday evening at its Souderton location. (Credit: John Worthington – MediaNews Group)
Canteen service is fixture at emergencies throughout the region.
North Penn Goodwill Service, Inc. Thursday evening celebrated 75 years of emergency canteen service, providing food and assistance to emergency responders.
Held at the North Penn Goodwill building in Souderton, the milestone celebration brought together dozens of emergency personnel and volunteers for a night of food, music, socializing and appreciation of community service.
Dating back to 1949, Goodwill is a non-profit organization that provides food, drinks, shelter and restrooms to emergency workers. An all-volunteer organization, Goodwill predominately serves Bucks and Montgomery counties but has also responded to emergencies in other counties throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
Credit: John Worthington/The Reporter
‘Best kept secret’
Joe Flenders, secretary of Goodwill, described the organization as one of the “best kept secrets” in the community.
“We’re least well-known among the community but most well-known among the fire and police departments,” he said. “You say ‘the Goodwill’, they know who you are.”
The idea for the organization was first conceived by the Souderton Fire Company in 1949 after responding to a house fire on a frigid March night. The first vehicle was a 1934 semi-retired school bus secured from Hagey’s Bus Service in Franconia, with funds for equipment and materials coming out of the firemen’s pockets. They eventually turned to the community for assistance.
“We bought a sound truck and broadcast around town that we needed money and donations for clothing and food,” said Jim Thomas, president of Goodwill. “And when we got back with the truck, all the bays were full.”
As funds increased, Goodwill acquired additional transit buses before switching to step vans, featuring grills, microwave ovens, refrigerators, storage space, electric generators and lighting systems capable of illuminating an entire football field.
Disaster response
Over the years, Goodwill volunteers responded to some of the region’s worst disasters, including the 1972 Hurricane Agnes floods in Pottstown, the 1982 Kmart warehouse fire in Falls Township, the 1988 Perkasie fire, the 1988 tornado in Lyons and the 2001 Bridgeport fire.
Today, Goodwill boasts three state-of-the-art canteen units and two shelter units, with plans to purchase a new modernized shelter unit next year. All units are equipped with two-way radio systems for Montgomery and Bucks counties. The organization has 32 members, 11 of which are active, and relies exclusively on donations.
“We get donations from our local residents and the fire companies we serve,” said Dennis Crouthamel, Goodwill deputy chief. “That’s how we support ourselves.”
Jim Hange, Goodwill chief, said that the organization receives an average of three to four calls per month, though the number fluctuates.
“The last couple months, we’ve been lucky to get one call,” said Hange. “But there have been times where we had eight to ten calls.
“And anymore we don’t just go to fires,” added Thomas. “We’ve been to standoffs to help the police out. We’ve been to big car accidents on the turnpike.”
“And we don’t usually get called for the short term,” said Flenders. “You’re usually called for a longer call, and each call is a minimum of six to eight hours, though there’s occasionally some shorter ones.”
Credit: John Worthington/The ReporterRewarding work
The men described the work as tough but rewarding.
“You know you’re doing something good for the community and the people who are out there busting their butts working hard,” said Flenders. “And they appreciate it.”
“It’s something to be proud of, and it makes you feel good when you’re at a scene and a fireman will come up and say, ‘Thank you guys for coming out. We needed this,’” said Hange.
During the celebration, the organization took the opportunity to recognize local fire companies and police chiefs with plaques. Hange concluded with Goodwill’s motto.
“If you need us, give us a call,” said Hange to the crowd. “That’s what we’re here for — to serve those who serve others.”
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit www.thereporteronline.com.
