|
Big Boots Need Filling
Don’t think you could ever be a firefighter? Well, actually …
By Lisa Schaffner
Volunteering is top of mind this time of year. From serving food to the homeless to buying gifts for a child on the Angel Tree, many of you are Giving Back. But have you considered a volunteer opportunity that involves a new uniform with shiny boots?
No, I’m not suggesting you hit the local mall as Santa Claus. But I am proposing you climb onto a big red fire truck – as a volunteer firefighter!
There are approximately 650 emergency responders in Hanover County. Roughly 550 are volunteers, according to Cris Leonard, Hanover County Fire & EMS volunteer membership coordinator. Another 100 volunteers fill auxiliary roles. “We have a very strong nucleus of firefighters who are baby boomers making an incredible contribution to our department and the citizens of Hanover County,” Leonard tells me.
The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Station 7 is full of veteran volunteers, and Lloyd Hayes is among them. Hayes officially joined in May 1963, but he grew up next to the firehouse and had already spent many childhood hours there. That’s a lot of fire calls and accident scenes over nearly five decades. Why volunteer? “I have a passion. It’s the way I was raised,” Hayes says. He further explains his long-term volunteering: “I love to help people who are in trouble. If there’s something I can do and I can help them, it’s just my way of giving back to the community.”
The 67-year-old Hayes volunteers one 24-hour shift each week but has been on fill-in status while he builds a new house. “My firefighting days are over. I basically just drive now,” he says. “It’s an engineer position. I get us to the fire and operate the engine on the scene.”
With the economy right now, Hayes says volunteers are really needed. “People are on vacation. People are sick. Volunteers eliminate overtime out of the budget, which helps the county, which helps all residents.”
That all sounds great, but if you’re like this boomer you may be thinking, “I’m a little out of shape right now to climb onto a fire truck, let alone fight a fire!” Hayes passionately counters with this: “Boomer volunteers can always do something at the fire department. If you don’t know it, you can learn it.”
The Hanover Fire & EMS website is easy to navigate. Its information page boasts volunteer opportunities that include firefighting, patient care, public education, administration and logistical support. Visit hanoverfireandems.com to download a volunteer application or call (804) 365-6195.
If you become a Hanover Fire & EMS volunteer, you’ll run into Hayes. He’s not hanging up his gear any time soon. “I’d like to make 50 years of volunteering. I’m at 48 now. It’s in my blood. I’ll always be doing something with them, even when I’m old and in a wheelchair. It’s part of my life.”
WOMEN JOIN FORCES TO INCREASE IMPACT
I recently became involved with a group I cannot wait to tell you about, and it’s perfect for this time of year! It’s called Impact 100.
Impact 100 started three years ago with a group of women who wanted to make a difference in our community with their financial contributions. The group awarded a $100,000 grant in 2010 to a local charity and this year as well. “Personally, it was a way to maximize my own giving: finding like-minded women who don’t have $100,000 to give but have $1,000. By pooling the money, we have leverage. The money is game-changing,” says Talley Baratka, founder of Impact 100.
Here’s how it works. Impact members contribute $1,000 each. A group of women – up to three – can also work together as an Impact Circle to raise the $1,000 contribution. The goal is 100 contributions of $1,000 each for a total of $100,00. Hence the name, Impact 100.
Baratka says “One hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money for an organization. It’s transformational grant-making. This money makes a difference.” Richmond nonprofits apply for the money through one of five impact areas: arts/culture, health/wellness, family, education and environment. During a spring vote, Impact 100 members decide which nonprofit receives the grant.
Impact 100 is soliciting members now. The lofty goal this year is two $100,000 grants. Baratka tells me that 40 nonprofits applied for the money during Impact 100’s first year. This year, 50 applied. Applications for next year are due Feb. 28. Impact 100 will award the grants in May.
Go to impact100Richmond.org or by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. I’ll see you at the Big Give in May when Impact 100 takes its vote. Richmonders are Giving Back in a big way in 2012!
Lisa Schaffner, a former WRIC-TV anchor, is public relations and marketing director for UNOS. Contact her at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
|
