When local

firefighters hit the streets seeking financial assistance for victims

of the terrorist attacks in New York, Fayette countians responded in a

big way, donating over $135,000 in recent boot drives.

The collections

will be of particular concern to Peachtree City resident Mary Lynch, whose

brother, firefighter Michael Boyle, is among the missing at the World

Trade Center scene.

Boyle was a

member of engine 33, company 9 based out of the Bowery area and was just

getting off a 24-hour shift when he joined others in responding to the

scene, according to Peachtree City Fire Chief Stony Lohr said.

Lohr believes

Lynch has traveled to New York to find out more about her brother's status.

The Citizen was unable to reach Lynch at her home in Peachtree City.

Over $80,000

was reported by the Fayetteville Fire Department and the Fayette County

Department of Fire and Emergency Services, while the Peachtree City Fire

Department reported raising over $55,000 in the boot drives, which took

place Sept. 21-23.

"Our heartfelt

thanks goes to the entire county," said Capt. Pete Nelms of the county

Fire Department. "It has been overwhelming."

Peachtree City

Chief Lohr reported that one local company, Hanco Systems, donated $10,000

to the boot drive. Anthony Michael's Salon raised over $1,100 Sunday with

a cut-a-thon event, Lohr noted. Several youths donated funds they raised

through lemonade stands, Lohr added.

Nelms said

one couple walked into a county fire station and wrote a donation check

representing the woman's birthday present. Another youth cut grass and

did yard work all week to raise money for the relief efforts.

There were

also several individuals who donated $1,000, Nelms added.

The funds raised

American Red Cross and the New York Fire Relief Fund, both of which have

been confirmed as legitimate charities assisting victims in the aftermaths

of the attacks, Nelms said.

Peachtree City's

funds will go to the New York Fire-911 Relief Fund, which is the consolidated

fund for firefighting personnel sponsored by several professional firefighting

organizations, Lohr said.

"We made

the effort to give the community a chance to do something to help people

up there," Nelms said. "I've never seen community support like

this here before."

Nelms said

he hopes the collective enthusiasm for volunteering spills over into the

near future.