Don Lepp has dedicated over 51 years to serving as a volunteer firefighter—a commitment now shared by his daughter, Donna.
As a teenager, Don volunteered as a dispatcher for a local ambulance company as a part of his Eagle Scout project. He also had two uncles who were firefighters in Philadelphia.
“When I got married and moved to Montgomery County, I knew I wanted to become a volunteer firefighter,” said Don. “It gave me a sense of pride and purpose, which was something my career in tech sales and sales management couldn’t provide.”
Donna grew up immersed in the fire service in Towamencin, where her parents had been involved since 1974. She began helping at the firehouse when she was just six years old, serving dinners and even digging out hydrants after snowstorms.
“My parents made volunteering a family experience,” said Donna.
After college, she officially joined as a firefighter. Though Don was nervous at first, he found comfort in the close-knit nature of the fire company.
“Towamencin volunteer fire company members told me, ‘Don’t worry. we’ll take care of her.’,” he said. “Knowing she shared the same desire to serve meant the world to me.”
Donna remembers responding to night calls alongside her dad in her twenties. She saw her father as a mentor, not just to her, but to many members of the fire company.
“He was a leader and a source of support for others,” said Donna. “I’ve always admired how he balanced a demanding career with his volunteer leadership roles.”
After getting married and raising three sons, Donna took a step back from firefighting. Nonetheless, her break didn’t last long. She returned as an administrative member and her sons joined a neighboring Montgomery County fire company. In January 2025, she became President of the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company, following in her father’s footsteps.
“It’s a great feeling to now have three generations serving at the same time,” said Don.
For Donna, the experience is deeply personal.
“It means everything to see how the guys treat my boys like family,” she said. “And for my dad to share this with them is incredibly special.”
Both Don and Donna emphasize the urgent need for more volunteers in Montgomery County.
“Volunteering can become one of the most rewarding parts of your life,” said Don. “The first time you help save a life or property, you realize what true purpose feels like.”
Donna agrees, “It’s a place where friends become family and everyone has each other’s back.”