Hopatcong wouldn't exist without its volunteers. Whether on the playing fields or in the fire companies or riding in ambulances, those sacrificing their time to help the borough make it run, make it whole. This week Patch spoke with Marshal Speizer, Hopatcong's Cub Scouts master. How did you get involved in the Boy Scouts? I got into cub scouts when my son David joined in May of 2004. I have been involved for 7 and a half years.What are some of the benefits of joining? Some of the benefits of joining cub scouts are meeting new friends (both the scouts and the parents); learning life skills; …

Hopatcong wouldn't exist without its volunteers. Whether on the playing fields or in the fire companies or riding in ambulances, those sacrificing their time to help the borough make it run, make it whole. This week Patch spoke with AJ Cook, a 18-year-old ambulance squad member. How long have you been on ambulance squad? I've been an explorer for two years and a member for six months.  Why did you get involved with Hopatcong's ambulance squad? I was sixteen at the time and had an interest in the medical field, and helping out the community. Lucky for me I get the best of both worlds. What are…

Rick Allen, 43, joined Hopatcong's fire department on a whim. He saw a sign saying the department needed volunteers and Allen, who has a wife and family, thought it'd be nice to add a band of brothers to his life while serving the community. Hopatcong Patch spoke with Allen about life as a fireman. Here's what he said. When did you get into firefighting? Just May of last year.Why? I don't know, to tell you the truth. I saw the volunteer sign. I've never been part of a big organization or part of a group. Never had a big group of friends or anything long-term. I thought it would be something …

Hopatcong Fire Chief Mike Rahill has been a firefighter for 16 years. A lifelong Hopatcong resident, Rahill prides himself on chipping in more to the borough than just his property taxes. Patch had a quick chat with Rahill about his passion, and why others should share it. What made you become a firefighter? When I was 4 years old my house was burned down. It was an arson job in Hopatcong. I was coming home from college one night, it was during rush week and I was going to join a fraternity, but then I saw a sign that said "volunteers needed." It was for a department that happened to be …

Dan Rodriguez, 22, has been a Hopatcong ambulance squad member for about two and a half years. A borough resident, he joined the squad because he "just wanted to give back to the community, which as given me so much." Rodriguez said the gore isn't what sticks out the most to him about the job—it's the people. Here's Hopatcong Patch's brief chat with Rodriguez: Why did you get involved with Hopatcong's ambulance squad? Kevin Sorensen, my best friend, was a member. He came on as an explorer. He was telling me about it all, and I just wanted to give back to the community, which has given me so …