Community Rallies For Family Of Drowned Teen At PA Water Treatment Plant

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Gabriel “Gabe” A. Lerch, 19, of Hershey, was identified as the man found at the wastewater treatment facility’s west plant in the 700 block of Lingle Avenue in Lebanon around 7 a.m. on Mar. 5, according to the Lebanon County coroner’s office.

He was the son of Jennifer Miller, wife of Chris of Lebanon, and Matthew C. Lerch husband of Jaclyn of Hershey, according to his obituary. 

Community members have launched several fundraisers to help support both families, raising nearly $9,000 total as of Thursday, Mar. 10.

The community has launched a Meal Train fundraiser for the Lerch family.

That campaign has raised $2,455 of a $10,000 goal from more than 80 donors in the first four days.

The campaign will help the family with “meal deliveries and daily childcare for Frankie from 2-4 pm would be greatly appreciated, as well as monetary donations to help with funeral expenses,” fundraiser organizer Elizabeth Fizz writes on the page.

Jackie Lerch has already thanked the community for this show of support on Facebook writing, "Friends, your outpouring of love has been amazing. Thank you so much. Many of you have asked how you can help. This Meal Train page also has a way to support us with funeral expenses. We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives and so thankful for all of the ways you are supporting us."

A fundraiser has also been set up to help the Miller family through this difficult time. That fundraiser was launched to help "his family prepare for his final resting place," as Kristen Budovec wrote on the GoFundMe campaign she organized. 

That campaign has raised over $5,633 of a $15,000 goal from over 90 donors as of Thursday. 

Budovec wrote this update on the page on Thursday "on behalf of Gabe's family, I want to thank everyone that has sent condolences and contributions to making Gabe's memorial service what he deserves. thank you doesnt express the gratitude everyone is feeling in his family. bless you all."

A third fundraiser has also been set up by one of Lerch's friends to help the Lerch family. It has raised $881 of a $10,000 from 20 donors, as of Thursday.

If you would like to donate to the Meal Train, you can do so here.

You can donate to the first GoFundMe campaign here.

You can donate to the second GoFundMe campaign here.

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