Supply Drive For Sandy Victims Saturday in Plymouth Meeting

If you see fire trucks at the Metroplex shopping center in Plymouth Meeting on Saturday, don't worry. It isn't bad news, it's a group of firefighters doing some good. 

The Pennsylvania chapter of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund has two 26-foot-long box trucks to fill, and they need supplies to do it. 

In addition to organizing the supply drive, the fund has obtained a fire truck donation from the Royersford Fire Department. A Pittsburgh fire department is also donating a truck and the chapter has collected fire gear from companies in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Tennessee for Long Island's fire companies.

Members of the public can drop supplies off from 8am-8pm on Saturday at the Metroplex shopping center. 

Washington Fire Company Captain Mike Maxwell said the collection point is where WMMR's Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison hold their yearly Camp Out for Hunger.

"We'll have fire trucks there, you won't be able to miss it," Maxwell said. 

Maxwell said the group will be collecting non-perishable food, diapers, clothes, and water. Several other donation sites have suggested items such as cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and toiletries, and Maxwell said they will accept those items too.

Maxwell said the drive "started small, but has exploded into something huge."

The group has collected all the fire equipment they needed, which includes not only the two fire trucks but hoses, tanks, boots, and protective gear. 

"It's been spontaneous and overwhelming," he told Patch. "It's tremendously larger than I imagined.

"I'm anxious to see what Saturday brings. I have two 26-foot trucks and I'm afraid I'll need more before the day is over!"