Garden City and South Media Fire Companies’ 2026 Fund Drive Highlights the Families Behind Every Volunteer

Behind every volunteer firefighter is a family that understands what it means to give time, make sacrifices and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. This year, the Nether Providence Township Fire Department (NPTFD), comprised of Garden City Fire Company and South Media Fire Company, is asking residents to support those volunteers through its 2026 Annual Fund Drive: “Behind Every Volunteer Is Your Reason to Donate.”

The campaign gives community members a personal look at the people who support NPTFD volunteers at home while highlighting why donations are essential to keeping these volunteers trained, equipped and ready to respond 24/7/365.

NPTFD responded to more than 850 combined calls last year, while its volunteers dedicated thousands of hours to emergency response, training and public outreach. The Department also brought on 22 new volunteers between the two fire companies as part of recruitment efforts. Keeping those volunteers ready to respond comes with significant costs, making community donations an essential part of maintaining the Department’s emergency services.

“My wife’s commitment to the fire company means a great deal to me and our family,” said Sri Bala, whose wife, Anita Singh, is an administrative volunteer. “She has shown our children that serving your community is about more than simply volunteering. It is about making a commitment to helping others and being there when you are needed.”

That commitment can mean giving up evenings and weekends, rearranging schedules and stepping away from family activities. For Katie Kenyon, watching her son Zach find a sense of community and purpose in the fire service has been a source of pride. Zach’s experience as a cadet at 15 ultimately led him to pursue the Emergency & Protective Services track at Delaware County Technical Schools.

“It’s been amazing to see him find himself and his community through the fire service,” Kenyon said. “Supporting this campaign means you are supporting your neighbors.”

Donations to the Fund Drive help cover the costs of essential equipment, training, station renovations and facility upgrades, replacing aging radios and other equipment, maintaining apparatus, building repairs and capital projects. The Department also maintains a reserve fund for large-scale incidents and unexpected needs.

Each fire company must maintain its own station, manage building repairs and capital projects, as well as purchase and maintain apparatus and other essential equipment. NPTFD also provides training to its members so volunteers can safely prepare for the wide range of emergencies they may encounter.

“Behind every volunteer is a family making sacrifices so that firefighters can be there when a neighbor needs help,” said Lou DiDomenico, President of Garden City Fire Company. “When you donate to the Fund Drive, you are helping make sure our volunteers have the equipment, training and resources they need to answer that call.”

“Our volunteers give thousands of hours of their time to this community, and that commitment does not come with a paycheck,” said South Media Fire Company Chief Max Hopkins. “Community donations help us provide the training and equipment they need and keep our stations and apparatus ready for the next emergency.”

In addition to serving Nether Providence Township, the Fire Department serves Rose Valley Borough and nearby communities. Together, Garden City and South Media Fire Companies rely heavily on community support to maintain emergency services around the clock, responding to structure fires, rescues, car accidents, and other emergencies.

The Annual Fund Drive kicks off each September through direct mail, social media and community outreach. Every donation helps NPTFD maintain its readiness and ensures volunteers have the resources they need to continue answering calls when their neighbors need them.

To support the Nether Providence Township Fire Department, visit www.NPFire.org.

About NPTFD

The Nether Providence Township Fire Department is made up of Garden City and South Media Fire Companies. Together, they respond to nearly 1,000 calls annually, serving more than 15,000 residents in Nether Providence Township, Rose Valley Borough and surrounding communities. The Department is 100 percent volunteer and relies heavily on community support to maintain 24/7 emergency services.