Community Corner

Hopatcong Native Donates Over $1,200 To Families in Need

Chris Scherr gathers gift cards for the holidays with his co-workers in Colorado.

Chris Scherr always put his community first when he lived in Hopatcong, and now nearly 2,000 miles away, he is still making an impact.

Scherr, a Hopatcong native who was a member of the Hopatcong Fire Department for nine years, and also a member of the ambulance squad, raised more than $1,200 in gift cards for borough families in need this holiday seasion.

All the way out in Frisco, CO with the help of his co-workers at St. Anthony Medical Center, Scherr collected various gift cards from everything to American Express, Target, Walmart, and Bed, Bath & Beyond to bring some happiness to families for the holidays.

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Scherr said normally the departments at the hospital do a gift exchange with each other, but this year they decided to put the money towards the gifts to help the Hopatcong families out.

He said he was inspired to help when saw the borough fire department and teacher Facebook pages calling for donations for families impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

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He got in contact with the teachers who were organizing donations and was able to start the fundraiser with his co-workers.

Scherr moved to Colorado two years ago before starting his job at the Colorado hospital, and said he is still very connected to the community, where all of his family and friends are. Both of his parents were teachers in the borough as well, he said.

This isn't the first time Hopatcong received a generous donation from Colorado.

Last month, a 6-year-old girl started a fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy victims about an hour-and-a-half east of Scherr, and was able to collect about $900 for Hopatcong families. Mackenzie McCluskey emptied her piggy pank and got her family, teachers, and friends on board to donate. 

Scherr said it's a humbling feeling to be able to still make a difference although now across the country.

 "Just to be able to still help out and be 1,800 miles away is pretty nice," he said.


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