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NANTICOKE &mdash; Wills for Heroes focuses on the unfortunate reality many first-responders and veterans face: the work is dangerous and potentially fatal.
				At the Luzerne County Community College on Saturday, Wills for Heroes set up volunteers in the legal community to provide to free estate planning for area first-responders and veterans. Each volunteer &mdash; from lawyers and paralegals to attorneys to members the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association &mdash; made time to ensure that every first responder or veteran leaves with a full estate plan: a will, a financial power of attorney, and a healthcare power of attorney, with witnesses and notaries on sight. Those needing assistance were given a minimum of an hour&rsquo;s worth of individual help and attention.
				C. David Pedri, chairman of the Wills for Heroes committee and Luzerne County manager, urded the importance of having documents prepared.
				&ldquo;Nobody wants to think of these things, it&rsquo;s not an easy conversation to have,&rdquo; he said.
				Pedri said he was grateful for the opportunity to tell first-responders and veterans &ldquo;thank you for your service.&rdquo;
				Mike Jordan, a police officer from Wyoming, was a recipient of these services. He was thankful for the individual time and care he received.
				&ldquo;It&rsquo;s amazing that folks volunteer their time and resources,&rdquo; Jordan said. &ldquo;I recommend any first-responder to look this up.&rdquo;
				Similar events happen all over Pennsylvania, with Luzerne County&rsquo;s first event back in 2012. &ldquo;Wills for Heroes&rdquo; originated after the 9/11 attack, when many families of the first responders found they had no estates prepared. &ldquo;Wills for Heroes&rdquo; along with Cathy O&rsquo;Donnell, president of The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association, worked to reinvigorate the project for Luzerne County in June of last year, when they began coordinating this event.
				Services are also available via appointment and a similar event is planned for the fall. They are planning another session as early as the fall. To make an appointment for the next event, contact Joseph Burke at jburke@luzernecounty.org, or call The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association at 570-822-6712.

Organization gives free estate planning for first-responders, vets