BEAN BLOSSOM — Volunteers for the Jackson Township Fire Department came to the rescue of a church on June 15 — using an aerial fire truck to fix a flagpole.
Earlier this month, the rope on the flagpole outside of Bean Blossom Baptist Church broke. No church employees or members could fix it alone, as Pastor James Brown said it was about 35 to 45 feet tall. He asked the congregation if anyone had ideas, and some church members started putting out feelers.
“All of a sudden it was like, ‘ding, ding, ding’: The fire department could help us out,” said church member Michelle Smith.
Jackson Township Fire Department is one of the few fire stations with an aerial truck in the county, Smith said, making them a perfect choice to ask for help. Smith called the station and was initially sent to voicemail. However, she soon received a reply from Chief Glenn Elmore.
“Chief Elmore was just extremely helpful from the get-go,” Smith said.
On June 15 — the day after Flag Day — Elmore, along with JTFD volunteer Roxanne Neibert, took the truck to the church and helped to replace the rope. He inspected the pole’s pulley system and hung the church’s new American flag.
“It sounded pretty important to them, so I rescheduled some meetings and was able to go help,” Elmore said.
Elmore enjoys using his position as fire chief to assist others. “It’s what we all should be, good neighbors,” Elmore said. “I’m fortunate to be in this position, and it is always a privilege to get to help others.”
Smith said that the church really appreciates the department and all of the work its volunteers do for the community.
“I’m just happy that in this day and age, people are still willing to volunteer and help,” Smith said. “They don’t make a penny, yet they are so helpful. They deserve praise.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Share your Bright Spots” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
We’ve been trying to bring you some good news each week during our COVID-19 coverage. If you’d like to thank someone for something they did for you or someone else, or reflect on something that makes you proud or happy or gives you peace during this time, please email a Bright Spot to [email protected].
[sc:pullout-text-end]
