Zumbathon for fallen firefighter
The Owego Community lost one of its bravest nearly two months ago. Now, they’re coming together once again to help the family of fallen firefighter Captain Matthew Porcari. As our Elyse Mickalonis tells us, the goal was to raise money for those who knew and worked with him.
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OWEGO, N.Y. -- "Zumba does bring happy endorphins. Everyone who comes to class feels super happy and super pumped,” said Sarah Fahl, Zumbathon Organizer. “We thought we should bring Zumba to the tragedy. We thought we’d help people cope."
More than 100 people sweat it out in their sneakers for a three hour long Zumbathon in honor of fallen Owego firefighter captain Matthew Porcari on Sunday. Porcari died when a floor collapsed while he was fighting a fire in Newark Valley in January. Since then, the community has helped their neighbors.
"For this amount of people to come out and support my nephew is overwhelming. This goes to show you that people have a heart to come out and support our fallen firefighters and just to be there for this cause in unbelievable,” said Owego Fire Lt. Lee Dunham and Porcari’s uncle.
Sarrah Lewis, Zumbathon Organizer, added, "The atmosphere is absolutely amazing, all the energy. We have people who came all the way from Rochester, Corning. Lots of people came out for the cause."
Proceeds from the event held by Owego Zumba will be split between the Porcari Children's Memorial Fund and the Owego Fire Department. Organizers said they're proud to be a part of something so special.
"It just goes to show you that with all of these people, I guarantee not a lot of people knew Matthew Porcari or know his family, but they're here to support the cause for the children's fund and the fire department. They're here to bring happy, positive energy to the event for us,” said Fahl.
Organizers hope to raise a few thousand dollars. They’ll have the final count early this week.
More events for the family are planned. Country Singer Paul Cummings will perform at a benefit on March 24th at the Owego-Apalachin Middle School. The cost is $10 dollars per person.