“Thank you:” Fire survivors in wake of Abundant Life Church explosion extend sincere thanks to North Country community for stepping up
BOONVILLE- It has been over a month since an explosion at the Abundant Life Church sent five people to the hospital, including the pastor, Boonville’s Fire Chief and three other fire fighters.
Though times may be uncertain and the cost of living is sky high, when put to the test, the North Country never fails to take care of their own.
Though it was catastrophic at first, this scenario has certainly been no exception. Ever since the explosion on February 17, which investigators say was accidental in nature, folks in Boonville, NY and surrounding communities close to home and from afar have gone to work with donating gas/gift cards to the survivors and their families.
With almost too many to count, several local fire departments and other community organizations have taken it upon themselves to host special benefits and donate proceeds from their regular functions.
Highlight examples include the Boonville Elks Lodge, as they managed to raise $55,000 from their benefit earlier this month.
The Believe 271 Foundation also hosted their annual bowling tournament the same weekend as the Elks benefit, and though final tallies are still being calculated, officials can confidently reveal the proceeds from that, which usually go towards their cause of supporting firefighters ridden with cancer, are somewhere around $19,000, which will instead be formally presented to the fire survivors and their families.
In addition, a total just shy of $41,000 was tallied for the fundraiser organized by Flack Broadcasting, which began the Friday after the explosion and concluded on March 6.
On behalf of Pastor Brandon Pitts, Boonville Fire Chief Dave Pritchard Jr., and firefighters Allan Austin, Nicholas Amicucci and Richard Czajka, they all would sincerely like to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to help however they could.
Since the explosion, only Mr. Czajka remains hospitalized, but family members have confirmed that he is in rehab and continues making progress.
Here are more upcoming events (that we are currently aware of) that will have their proceeds donated towards the fire survivors and their families:
3/26/26: From 4:30 p.m. until gone, Constableville volunteer fire company is having a prime rib sandwich dinner. $15 for sandwich and fries. Kids’ meal available for $10 with a quarter pound beef hotdog and fries. From 4:30 PM until sold out. There will also be a 50-50 and Fill the Boot. All proceeds will be donated to the Medical Relief Fund.
4/3/26: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. The Floyd Volunteer Fire Department & Ladies’ Auxiliary are hosting a Fish Fry to benefit the Boonville Volunteer Fire Company Medical Relief Fund. Choices: Fried or baked fish, fried shrimp, or lasagna. Comes with fries or baked potato and dessert. $12 for adults, $7 for children. Drive through only.
4/18/26: 12-noon until gone Saturday, April 18, the Volunteer Fire Company of Western is having a Chicken BBQ to benefit the Boonville Fire Company Medical Relief Fund. Drive Through Only. $15 for a full dinner including a half chicken, macaroni salad, salt potatoes, and cookies. Half chicken is only $10. 9305 State Route 46 in Westernville, NY.
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