A call to action: community pulls together

Donations are still coming in for our fire families. Keep up the great work supporting our community. Clothing of all sizes is our primary need at this time. New socks, underwear and toiletries are also greatly appreciated.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a call to action as “something such as a speech, piece of writing, or act that encourages people to take action about a problem.” Too many times these days, people turn a blind eye to problems or those in need; however; those of us in a small town seem to always answer a call to action in a huge way.

I recently was appointed Chief of Owingsville’s Fire Department, where I have been a firefighter on and off since 1989. I have seen tragedy in many forms imaginable, but perhaps one of the most tragic things to see is a family losing all their belongings due to a fire. Being the person in charge of watching a home burn with everything a family owns is not a profound moment. Sure, we try to salvage items as we can safely do so, but there are times when there is simply nothing we, as firefighters, can do but mitigate the damage. It is a helpless feeling once we leave, knowing that all someone has worked for, their memories, and their basic needs, have been reduced to blackened rubble.

Recently, three families in Bath County experienced such losses. They received some assistance through the Red Cross and from some family members, but members of the Owingsville Fire Department put out a call to action via social media. What started out, as a request for a few donated items became an overwhelming outpouring of support within a week’s time. People from as far as Wilmore, Paintsville and even Mt. Sterling’s Wal-Mart donated clothing, basic toiletries and other basic needs for what initially was a couple of families. Members of the fire department and the newly established Owingsville Fire Department Auxiliary, under the direction of Elisha Corey and Heather Phipps, worked tirelessly this past week, sorting out the donations to better help the fire victims find what they needed. Three families now have some articles of clothing and other basics to help start anew; all due to the kindness of people whom they have never met, or may never meet. All of this because of a call to action.

The extra donations will be stored and used solely for those who experience tragedy and lose what they have. It is in addition to resources already available, such as Red Cross and Christian Social Services, which will still assist whenever they can. The fire department will continue to take donations and is exploring ways to store them in a secured place outside the station.

Our little communities and towns may not hold much, but the people are what make them so special. When a call to action is answered in such a resounding way, it should speak volumes to everyone within earshot that there are good folks out there; and no matter a person’s upbringing or struggles, when they lose all they have, we all should step up in some way to build them back.

To coordinate donation drop offs at Owingsville Fire Department, contact Elisha Corey at 859-404-8800 or E-mail at ovfd311@gmail.com.