PA Environment Digest

The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, and Somerset Trust Company, are now accepting donations to help the families of the 33 miners trapped since August 5 in an underground coal mine in Chile.

"Many visitors to the Quecreek Mine Rescue Site since the accident in Chile has asked how they can help the families of the trapped miners," said Bill Arnold, Director of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation. "In response to those requests, we are working with several local partners in the Somerset community to accept donations and make sure they get directly to families of those 33 miners.

"No one except someone involved in a mine accident like we had here in Somerset can understand the worry and pain an accident like this can cause,” said Arnold. “We thought we could help in this small way to give back to another group of mine families going through the same thing. No doubt they offered their own prayers and support for our miners when they were trapped."

The Foundation will be working with the international Red Cross to guarantee the money goes directly to the families of the miners

Jeff Cook of Somerset Trust, "We are happy to help the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation in any way we can to give aid to the families of the trapped Chilean miners."

"This is another excellent example of how the Community of Somerset is again coming together for the good of the common man," said Mike Kane, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies,

To make a donation, stop by the Quecreek Mine Rescue site or send a donation to Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation, 151 Haupt Road, Somerset, PA 15501. Please note on your check the donation is for the Chilean Miners. We will also be setting up a secure link on the Foundation website, www.9for9.org to make donations directly to the Chilean Miners fund.

On July 24, 2002 miners broke through into an abandoned, water-filled mine flooding the Quecreek Mine with over 150 million gallons of water. Nine miners scrambled to safety, but nine were trapped in a pocket of air in the dark, cold, water filled mine. They were rescued four days later through the combined efforts of state and federal mine rescue agencies and hundreds of workers and volunteers.

Now more than 10,000 visitors a year visit the rescue site looking to learn more about the "Quecreek Miracle." The site became part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Historical Marker Program in 2006.

Contact the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation, or make a donation, by writing: 151 Haupt Road, Somerset, PA 15501, calling 814-445-4876 or by visiting www.9for9.org.

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