“Awesome!” “Mind blowing!” “Amazing!”
No…it’s not the latest movie review, but it is what local firefighters had to say Wednesday as they were reminded of one of the things that makes Oklahomans so great – their generosity.
The Kendrick, NE Lincoln County and Ripley volunteer fire departments were called to LoveINC to “pick up a few things” people from across the state wanted them to have – water, Gatorade, snacks and misc. items that can be used around a fire station – oh and money. Each department was not only told to “get what they needed” from the supplies that came pouring in to LoveINC specifically for wildfire relief, but they were each presented a check for $1,000.
“This has been very humbling,” LoveINC representative Randy Brown said. “We have had people come from as far away as Tonkawa, Ponca City, Huge – well, from all over the state – who have made donations to help not only the fire victims, but our fire fighters.
All the departments suffered at least some equipment loss over the past few weeks, but in NE Lincoln County’s case – they were almost incapacitated. “Our trucks are old and we have had several suffer significant damage,” NE Lincoln fire chief Robert Snider said in a recent interview on the Donna & Molly Show. “We don’t know what we are going to do.”
However, Snider was all smiles Wednesday as he was able to report things had turned around for the department. “This really is a God send. We are going to use the money to buy parts for the trucks,” he said. “And Kenny Wood from KW Well Services has said he has the mechanics to do the work. This is mind blowing.”
Tim Arnold, Ripley Fire Department and Johnny Cody, fire chief for Kendrick Fire Department echoed Snider’s sentiments.
“This means a great deal having outside communities coming in to help like this,” Arnold said. “We really appreciate it.”
Cody said, “This is awesome! With the significant fires we’ve endured over the past three weeks, Kendrick lost a pump. This money will go toward purchasing a new one. This is really appreciated.”
Brown said there could be more to come. “If we get more – we will make out more checks.”
LoveINC is a clearinghouse for resources in the area and is located at 203 W. Moses in Cushing.
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