5 Haverford Township First Responders Awarded Scholarships

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — Several first responders in Haverford Township have been awarded scholarships from the Main Line Chamber Foundation.

The Main Line Chamber Foundation awarded $50,000 in scholarships to 27 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians at a June 10 "Celebration of Hometown Heroes" hosted by the Foundation.

A special tradition that began in 2011 continued, as the Thomas J. Hays Memorial Scholarships were presented in honor of a young firefighter with the Merion Fire Company who died in the hours following going out on a call. Three memorial scholarships were awarded to outstanding volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

Alexis McElhone of Bon Air Fire Company, along with Devora Weintraub of VMSC of Lower Merion and Sean Meals of Gladwyne Fire Company, was awarded a $5,000 Thomas J. Hays Memorial Scholarship.

Below are the rest of Haverford's awardees:

• Jacob Amatucci, Bon Air Fire Company
• Brandon Bonafino, Manoa Fire Company
• Nicholas Hand, Oakmont Fire Company
• Alexis McElhone, Bon Air Fire Company

Among the honorees was a pioneering a first-ever female firefighter in Ardmore when she started volunteering nearly 30 years ago.

Judy Flanagan, who was given the Community Service Leadership Award of $10,000, volunteers with the Merion Fire Company of Ardmore and is pursuing a nursing degree at Montgomery County Community College.

During her early days of service, Flanagan was with Narberth Ambulance on the horrific scene of the helicopter and small plane collision at Merion Elementary School in 1991 when five people were killed, including Sen. John Heinz and two school girls.

She has two sons, Pearce and Colin, who also volunteer as emergency responders on the Main Line.

With these latest awards, The Main Line Chamber Foundation will have given out nearly $550,000 in scholarships to local volunteer emergency responders, the vast majority of whom attend local colleges and universities.

"Particularly through the pandemic, volunteer emergency responders put themselves at risk by responding to emergency calls when many stayed home," said Maureen McAleer, chairwoman of The Main Line Chamber Foundation Board of Directors. "Residents often don’t realize what an important role these volunteers play in our communities, saving taxpayers millions of dollars that might otherwise go to fund professional emergency responders. We believe it is important to celebrate their service and distribute the scholarship awards at a public ceremony that can shine a light on their invaluable contributions."

Most of the funds for the scholarship program are raised at the Giant Main Line Run/Walk, which will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 8:30 a.m. The 5-Kilometer run is accompanied by a popular 1.5-mile walk, making the event open to non-runners and whole-family participation.

The course passes through the streets of Wayne, temporarily closing down Lancaster Avenue and neighborhood streets for safety.

Registration is available online here.

Sponsorships for the Run/Walk and donations to The Main Line Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, are accepted year- round.