By Barry Porterfield
Giving back to those who give in times of need is the whole idea behind a benefit planned for next weekend in Pauls Valley.
PV’s firefighters have decided to step in and offer some help of their own to Garvin County’s chapter of the American Red Cross.
The way to do that is bring community residents together for a hamburger cookout scheduled to get started at noon Saturday, June 27 at the local fire station, located on the corner of McClure and Walnut streets.
“The Red Cross has supported us over the years,” PV Fire Chief Joe Eddy said.
“We’re hoping people will drop by and visit the fire station, have a hamburger and donate to the Red Cross,” he said.
“One hundred percent of the donations will go to the Red Cross. We’re wanting to help pay them back.”
Eddy said the local fire department typically receives help from the Red Cross when its volunteers also respond to the scene of an emergency situation.
There, Red Cross volunteers provide food and drinks to firefighters when they’re at any emergency scene for an extended period of time.
The way it works is when an emergency situation arises a Red Cross official gives Eddy a call to see if the agency’s emergency vehicle will be needed at the scene.
According to Eddy, that vehicle remains at the scene “as long as we need them to stay.”
The Red Cross assistance is also provided to those impacted by fires and other emergencies; help in the form of a motel room, clothing or even food.
“We’ve never had them fail to help with a fire victim in Garvin County,” he said.
Eddy said the help is needed even more now as it appears Red Cross chapters like the one here are getting extra requests for assistance these days.
“They have been overrun with requests for help.”
The idea of coming together to help out the Red Cross is not a new one for the firefighters.
Last year donations were collected from firefighters across Garvin County with all the proceeds going to Red Cross.
The same thing has already been done this year, Eddy said.
“They’re in a deeper hole this year, and we want to do a little extra,” he said, referring to next weekend’s benefit.
“We try to support our local groups that take care of our residents.”
