Mrs. T's helps Ashland fire victims

SHENANDOAH - Mrs. T's employees helped bring Christmas to a Schuylkill County family devastated by a fire this month.

Sgt. Joseph Jordan and his children, Rebecca and Nicole, 11, and Joe, 10, received an early Christmas gift Wednesday from the employees who donated $1,000 in cash and gift cards to the family.

Jordan, a former Army ranger and currently a sergeant first class with the Pennsylvania National Guard, lost his home in a fire Dec. 2 in Ashland.

Jordan, who lived at 1310 W. Centre St., was inside his home when the fire broke out. He ran through the bar area of the Drunken Monkey Bar and Grill at 1312-14 W. Centre St. and pulled Robert O'Donnell from his burning home. After rescuing the man from the ground floor, Jordan said he worked his way to the second floor of the home to help the man's son, Shawn O'Donnell, from the building.

The Jordan family attended the presentation at noon Tuesday in the company's conference room, accompanied by Jordan's father, Joe Jordan, a member of the Jordan Brothers group. About 30 company employees, owners Tom and Tim Twardzik, and Joanne Parulis, executive director of Schuylkill County VISION, attended the presentation.

On Veterans Day this year, Ateeco employees recognized the 20 co-workers who served in the military. The workers wanted to keep the spirit going by sponsoring a family of a soldier currently deployed.

But, according to Ateeco Inc. Public Relations Director Wayne Holben, it wasn't easy to find such a family.

"Finding one of these families is one of the closest guarded military secrets," Holben joked. "But in the end, I think it was meant to be."

When he couldn't acquire a name from the military, Holben sent a plea out at a Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce meeting asking members if anyone knew of a military family in need.

"Joanne Parulis jumped into action and through her we found Sergeant Jordan," Holben said.

Holben, also a veteran, was visibly moved when he spoke of the Mrs. T's employees as a generous group of people.

"These people gave to this family after giving to record Schuylkill United Way and Toys for Tots drives," said Tom Twardzik, president of Ateeco Inc./Mrs. T's.

Holben said that Mrs. T's employees received a $25 Wal-Mart gift card from the company for Christmas and several employees donated their gift cards to help the Jordan family.

"We asked Sgt. Jordan if he would prefer all gift cards or a mix of cards and cash, and he said frankly, the family could use the cash since he is in the process of looking for a house," Holben said.

Jordan said the family will be moving into a house in Lavelle after the holidays.

"This is just an example of where Mrs. T's and Ateeco Inc. is taking a responsibility as a part of the community," said Raymond Stasulli, director of operations. "Many of us have been blessed and it gives us a sense of belonging and helping to be able to give back. We had the opportunity to recognize our co-workers who are veterans and give them our heart-felt thanks for dedicating themselves to our country, and this is just another way to say 'thank you' to a veteran."

In addition to the monetary gifts, the Jordan family received plush pierogie toys, T-shirts, jackets and coupons.

Jordan thanked the group who shook hands with the family and wished them a "Merry Christmas" before heading back to work.

"This will definitely help Christmas come to our house," Jordan said. "It is great living in Schuylkill County. It is a close-knit society where we take care of each other."

Sign up for Text Alerts

Sign up for e-mail newsletters