PINETWP, Mercer County — People who express their emotions openly "wear their hearts on their sleeve" as the saying goes.

Soon people can wear their hearts on their chests and on their car windows in memory of Pine Township firefighter Brad Holmes and to honor his injured colleague, firefighter Scott King.

Holmes, 21, died March 5 of injuries suffered in a house fire Feb. 29 at 132 Garden Ave., Grove City.

King, 24, suffered first- and third-degree burns to his arms and face in the blaze, but he is recovering.

"It's been coming along very well. They released him to go back to work Wednesday. It will help him get out of the house and take his mind off what happened," said Gene King, Scott's father.

A design for shirts and decals was created to raise money for the firefighters.

It was made by Chris Baer, a firefighter with the Pine Township Engine Company. Ithen Global printing is donating more than 300 long- and short-sleeved T-shirts with the design for firefighters from the dozens of communities who supported the two firefighters following the fire, which also killed borough resident Patricia Andrews-Smith, 40.

"We have a couple of firefighters that work for us, and we were happy to help. The community is torn apart by this," said Bruce Firm, director of operations for Ithen.

Grove City Creative Images printed the design on 3,000 decals, which can be seen on many firefighters' vehicles.

"It was an easy decision to make. Volunteer firefighters do a lot for the community here so I was more than happy to donate my time and product," said Adam Coulson, owner of Creative Images.

All of the initial 1,400 decals printed have been given to fire departments or sold. Another 1,000 are on the way.

"I didn't think it would get as big as it has," Baer said of the interest in the shirts and decals.

"Once they are available, they will be distributed through area businesses and fire departments," Baer said.

Shirts can be ordered through the fire departments in east Mercer County, and also through those in Slippery Rock, Harrisville and Unionville in Butler County.

Proceeds also may be used to erect a monument honoring Holmes and King, who were injured trying to save Andrews-Smith.

"I believe we're going to start with 1,000 (shirts), then probably even more. It's a very popular cause here in Grove City," Firm said.

The first order for the navy blue shirts will be placed April 7, Baer said.

The T-shirts will sell for $15 to $19; sweatshirts and hooded sweatshirts will sell for $25 to $34. Prices are dependent upon size.

Decals will sell for $5.

Holmes' friends and co-workers at the Wal-Mart store in Grove City also have organized a luncheon April 6 to benefit the Holmes and King families. It will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Grove City Rescue Squad station, 1252 S. Center St. Extension

"We started planning this before he passed away and figured we'd finish it. They can do whatever they want with the money. We just figured they deserved it," said Candy Ries, one of the event's organizers.

Holmes' co-workers solicited donations from shops throughout Grove City.

Country Creations has volunteered to build a piece of furniture to raffle off at the event, according to Ries. Joden Jewelers has donated an emerald-and-diamond necklace for auction. Hog Wild BBQ donated food, and McDonald's donated plastic utensils.

Other donors include Mary Jo's Creations, Antiques by the Yard, Wolf Creek Yarns, Broad Street Music, Saxony House Furniture, Hairtique and More, Burdick's Men's Clothing, Nelson's Flower Shop, Natural Options and Daffin's.

"We have baskets of stuff, movies, dinners and lots of other things," Ries said.

Luncheon attendees can win most of the donated items in a Chinese auction.

Ries said of Brad Holmes, "Working with him we would laugh at how fast he would run out on fire calls.

"He would run into the automated doors because they didn't open quick enough for him. We miss him."

The luncheon will not be the last event to honor the firefighters and aid their families.

"There's more stuff happening all the time," Baer said.

Gene King said the funds raised have covered all of his son's medical bills so far.

To donate directly to the Holmes family, checks payable to the Brad Holmes Fund can be deposited at Northwest Savings Bank, 200 Center St., Grove City 16137.

Donations to the Pine Township Engine Company can be made to the Grove City Foundation, care of McNickle and Bonner Attorneys, 209 W. Pine St., Grove City.

The families displaced by the duplex fire lost nearly everything. Donations can be made for their benefit to the Patty Dilley Donation Fund and the Larry Smith Donation Fund at any Citizens Bank branch.

Eagle staff writer Stephanie Rex contributed to this story.