Founded in 1905 by Milton Hershey -- The Hershey Volunteer Fire Company bares much significance with the Derry Township community.
"You see a volunteer fire company, it's a lot of family, as you look around our lockers, you'll see a lot of last names are the same," said Station Fire Chief Pat Leonard.
"They do it for pride, they do it for importance," added Scott Stein, Volunteer Firefighter at Hershey Volunteer Fire Company.
Stein is one of 77 volunteer firefighters at Station 48 on Caracas Avenue. Their capabilities have allowed them to respond to emergencies throughout Hershey within 10 minutes. Located at Caracas Avenue since 1928, the fire house hasn't been renovated since the 1970's and is in desperate need of change.
"Right now the doors limit us to the height of what we're allowed to bring in. The floor limits us to the weight we can bring in. We're going to put in bunk rooms. Might not have a live in program right away but in the future, we might have live-in firefighters here," added Chief Leonard.
They've managed to raise 5.2 million dollars through donations in the past three years. Now they're rallying the community for support in order to reach their 6.8 million dollar goal.
"I think the community has to understand these men and women risk their lives and their private time with their families and everything, do so all volunteers. It's not paid, they do so because they want to do that," said Rep. John Payne with the 106th District.
If they meet their goal, the station will relocate while renovations begin in February of 2015. A much needed change not only for the firefighters but for the community.
If you'd like to donate, click on the following link: http://www.hersheyfire.org/