Diane Chen is fundraising
Feng Ye Memorial Fund2-Portland H&L
On Thursday, August 2, 2018, our friend Feng Ye fell into the Delaware River while canoeing with his wife and son on a family vacation. Ever since then many rescue organizations have been looking for him. Unfortunately, he is yet to be found.
Feng's canoe capsized in the Delaware River located in Portland, PA（https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Pennsylvania) - a small town of a little over 500 people. Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue - part of Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1 (https://portlandboroughpa.com/portland-hook-ladder-co-1/) was the first to arrive on the scene, and has led and coordinated the search and rescue efforts ever since.
We, Feng's wife Changhong and their son George, and a group of family & friends, felt overwhelmed by the warmth and care that Changhong & her son received in the immediate aftermath of the incident by the people of Portland and by the efforts made by Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue.
Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1 is a volunteer organization with limited resources. They normally have 10 water rescue calls a year according Jim Potter - the Chief of Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1. In talking to Mr. Potter, we learned that it would be extremely useful if the organization could have a tow truck to tow their water rescue equipment when water search & rescue is needed. Therefore we decided to start a fundraising effort in our friend, Feng Ye's memory to raise the $65,000 to get that much needed tow truck for Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1.
Below is a letter written by Feng Ye's son George for this fundraising effort:
"My father, Feng Ye, was a hardworking, honest man dedicated to making his family and career the best that they could be. He had a passion for travel, especially outdoor recreation, while also appreciating the everyday sources of beauty and joy that had made his long journey to America so worthwhile.
Tragically, he drowned in a boat accident on the Delaware River in early August 2018.
In the first terrible days after the event, the Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue provided a source of hope, comfort, and stability for my mother and me. In addition to their heroic efforts scouring the riverbank by boat and plane, diving, and sending the alert to neighboring towns for any possible signs, they showed remarkable respect and professionalism throughout, and provided open lines of communications at all times with us about their daily plans. Countless men and women from Portland, including mayor Lisa, pastor Dave, fire chief Potter, and officer Sabo, opened their homes and hearts to my mom and I, earning our eternal gratitude and friendship.
In my father’s honor, we would like to set up a fund on behalf of the Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue, one of the anchors of this incredible small town. It relies largely on our generous contributions for operation, and provides urgent care each day for the hundreds of people living in northern Northampton and southern Monroe counties. Also, they are the first responders for accidents on the river- sadly all too common especially in the summer months. An average of six people per year have perished on the Delaware each year for the past five years, and that number could very well be more if not for the devoted efforts of Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue.
We would like to invite friends of our family, as well as anyone who appreciates the dedication of the rescue workers on the Delaware, to make a contribution to this volunteer-funded organization. Ideas for a campaign to improve boat safety education and regulations will also be a major focus for us going forward. Perhaps there will come a year when there will no longer be further loss of life on this wild and majestic canyon, and the Portland volunteer rescue squad will be a prime reason why this goal will finally be achieved. I’m sure this would be a future my father would have been truly proud to see."
Please spare $10, $25, $50, $100 ... for this worthy cause!
Feng's canoe capsized in the Delaware River located in Portland, PA（https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Pennsylvania) - a small town of a little over 500 people. Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue - part of Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1 (https://portlandboroughpa.com/portland-hook-ladder-co-1/) was the first to arrive on the scene, and has led and coordinated the search and rescue efforts ever since.
We, Feng's wife Changhong and their son George, and a group of family & friends, felt overwhelmed by the warmth and care that Changhong & her son received in the immediate aftermath of the incident by the people of Portland and by the efforts made by Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue.
Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1 is a volunteer organization with limited resources. They normally have 10 water rescue calls a year according Jim Potter - the Chief of Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1. In talking to Mr. Potter, we learned that it would be extremely useful if the organization could have a tow truck to tow their water rescue equipment when water search & rescue is needed. Therefore we decided to start a fundraising effort in our friend, Feng Ye's memory to raise the $65,000 to get that much needed tow truck for Portland Hook & Ladder CO #1.
Below is a letter written by Feng Ye's son George for this fundraising effort:
"My father, Feng Ye, was a hardworking, honest man dedicated to making his family and career the best that they could be. He had a passion for travel, especially outdoor recreation, while also appreciating the everyday sources of beauty and joy that had made his long journey to America so worthwhile.
Tragically, he drowned in a boat accident on the Delaware River in early August 2018.
In the first terrible days after the event, the Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue provided a source of hope, comfort, and stability for my mother and me. In addition to their heroic efforts scouring the riverbank by boat and plane, diving, and sending the alert to neighboring towns for any possible signs, they showed remarkable respect and professionalism throughout, and provided open lines of communications at all times with us about their daily plans. Countless men and women from Portland, including mayor Lisa, pastor Dave, fire chief Potter, and officer Sabo, opened their homes and hearts to my mom and I, earning our eternal gratitude and friendship.
In my father’s honor, we would like to set up a fund on behalf of the Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue, one of the anchors of this incredible small town. It relies largely on our generous contributions for operation, and provides urgent care each day for the hundreds of people living in northern Northampton and southern Monroe counties. Also, they are the first responders for accidents on the river- sadly all too common especially in the summer months. An average of six people per year have perished on the Delaware each year for the past five years, and that number could very well be more if not for the devoted efforts of Portland Hook & Ladder Water Rescue.
We would like to invite friends of our family, as well as anyone who appreciates the dedication of the rescue workers on the Delaware, to make a contribution to this volunteer-funded organization. Ideas for a campaign to improve boat safety education and regulations will also be a major focus for us going forward. Perhaps there will come a year when there will no longer be further loss of life on this wild and majestic canyon, and the Portland volunteer rescue squad will be a prime reason why this goal will finally be achieved. I’m sure this would be a future my father would have been truly proud to see."
Please spare $10, $25, $50, $100 ... for this worthy cause!
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