Support continues for family after fire tragedy
“It says a lot about how the law enforcement community has come together. It’s a strong network that pulls together. We have one of our family that lost two of his and we are here to support him through thick and thin.” — District Attorney Kevin Steele
The outpouring of support for Montgomery County Deputy Bryan Lukens and his family continues since a Dec. 12, 2017, fire swept through their Schwenksville home, taking the lives of two young boys.
A “Lukens Family” GoFundMe campaign created shortly after the tragedy has raised over $376,000 to date.
The community remains committed to backing the Montgomery County law enforcement officer and is family in the wake of the unthinkable.
“A Night For The Lukens Family” on Jan. 20 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort was a sold-out event that superseded the fundraising goal of $200,000. The Montgomery County Hero Fund paid for the hard costs associated with the event so that 100 per- cent of the proceeds raised through ticket sales, raffles and sponsorships went directly to Lukens, his wife, Tracy, and their daughter, Sophia.
The Dec. 12 fire claimed the lives of 11-year-old Bryan Lukens Jr. and 6-year-old Parker Lukens.
The feedback for the weekend fundraiser was so overwhelming, according to event organizers, they could have easily doubled the 1,6000 tickets sold if space allowed.
Montgomery County Hero Fund, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office “Wheels of Justice” team, Irish Pub Children’s Foundation and The ATeam organized the fundraiser, which included food from dozens of area restaurants and eateries, drinks, dancing to the band Wildflower and Showtime DJs Mike Valyo, and multiple gift baskets.
“The response has been unbelievable. The generosity, the sponsors have all been unbelievable,” said Sean Cullen, Founder of the Montgomery County Hero Fund. “We’ve made a commitment that the acts of a hero will never be in vain and are ready to help.”
“We are part of the community and it’s something we do to heal together. It was very important for us to be a part of this,” said VFCR CEO Eric Pearson. The Valley Forge Casino Resort covered the costs of the facility and all of the services provided.
Cullen received a call shortly after District Attorney Kevin Steele was briefed on the fire at the Lukens home and replied with, “we are on it.”
“It says a lot about how the law enforcement community has come together. It’s a strong network that pulls together. We have one of our family that lost two of his and we are here to support him through thick and thin,” said Steele.
“It’s a real credit to the support Deputy Lukens has with the whole law enforcement community in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Sean P. Kilkenny of the turnout.
Kilkenny also pointed to the support of the Lukens GoFundMe, the fund set up in the Sheriff’s office raised which raised $170,000, and a check received yesterday from the Berks County Sheriffs Association for $1,500.
“And the generosity is not stopping which is great,” commented Kilkenny.
Kilkenny said Lukens has returned to work.
“It was a pleasure for him to get back to work because it is a routine,” said Kilkenny. “Obviously it is heartbreaking for Tracy, Sophia and the family. They are constantly reminded of the loss of their two sons. It’s going to take years if not a lifetime for them to deal with it.”
The capacity crowd contained many law enforcement, first responders and Montgomery County employees.
“Many talk about the County family and sometimes people look at me funny like they think those words really don’t mean anything. If there was ever any question about our County family and what it means to be a family you are seeing it in the response tonight,” said Val Arkoosh, chairwoman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.
The A-Team, started by local Collegeville businessman C.J. Santangelo, regularly works to help children and families in need through fundraising and outreach events. A few “ATeamers” are members of fire departments and called Santangelo after the fire asking for prayers.
“It was a no-brainer for me,” said Santangelo of assisting with the evening’s event. “We had so many people who were personally effected especially those who escort our rides and help us. It was the least we could do to support them.”
Santangelo also arranged for a replacement uniform for U.S. military veteran Lukens so he could wear military blues to his sons’ funeral.
“We had an overwhelming response to that, too. One of his brothers he served with got him his dress blues,” said Santangelo.
Lukens, a PlymouthWhitemarsh High School graduate and Conshohocken area native, has been a deputy for the past four years. Before working in the Sheriff’s Department he was a Whitemarsh police officer and served two tours of duty in Iraq. At the Sheriff’s Department, he is involved in extracurricular activities and honor guard.