Sanders County residents give back
<p>John Harris, the owner of the Lakeside Motel, unloads food and toiletries from a Plains City Fire truck last Wednesday.</p>
SANDERS COUNTY - Wednesday evening outside of the Plains City Firehouse a collection was held for the firefighters fighting the fires in Western Sanders County.
From 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Showndell and Jason Brown sat in front of the two Plains fire engines with a table for citizens of Plains to bring food and toiletries to give to the firefighters in Western Sanders County.
Vicky Brown, who delivered multiple items to the collection, explained why she donated to the cause.
“We are just grateful for all they are doing. Where we used to live the fires were terrible and half the town was evacuated and the other little town lost 50 homes. We are just grateful for all their help. I’m glad to just have a chance to say thanks.”
Throughout the hour people brought desserts, chap stick, cough drops, burn medication, and other toiletries. The Plains City Fire department also pitched in and donated bottles of water. One individual donated $50 to be used to pick up food from the grocery store.
When the collection hour passed, the Plains City Fire pickup truck was loaded up with the goods and J. and S. Brown headed to Trout Creek to the Lakeside Motel where a collection sight was set up and where firefighters had been eating breakfast and dinner every day.
Along the way to Trout Creek, $50 worth of apples were bought to give to the firefighters.
At the Lakeside Motel in Trout Creek a banquet hall had been transformed into a mess hall, where tables were organized for the firefighters to eat. John Harrison, his staff, and community members, had been serving the food every day.
When the Brown’s arrived at the motel, volunteers quickly unloaded the truck and organized the collection in the banquet hall as food was being prepared in back.
Kristie Brown, the coordinator and organizer of the collection, and of feeding the firefighters at the Lakeside Motel, explained that at the motel constant help and donations were in great supply to continue helping the firefighters.
“There are two shifts where we need five people on each shift. Morning shift starts at 3:30 a.m. We serve the firefighters by 5:30 a.m... There is an evening shift at 7:30 p.m. and we serve the last firefighter by 10:00 p.m. and we are usually out of here by 11:00 p.m.”
K. Brown then said that cards saying thank you were a great addition to food and toiletry donations. She said that whatever can be donated is greatly appreciated and helpful.