Saying Thank You to Our Heroes

In a community such as ours, people unite when someone is in need. And when there are many in need, the response grows exponentially. This summer was a perfect example of a community coming together to support one another. Fires broke out, families’ homes were threatened, and tired, weary firefighters gave all they had to protect our community from the unthinkable. And the community, eager to show its immense gratitude, responded as well.

Local resident Erik Olsen farms 3,000 acres. When his neighbor’s property was threatened, he and others quickly responded. “When your neighbors are on fire, you go help them,” said Olsen about the incident. He and other nearby farmers used their tractors, plows and water trucks to do what they could to not only put it out, but to keep it from spreading. “The sheriffs were busy trying to get in touch with us to evacuate, but we stayed and fought,” said Olsen.

There were others who responded to the crisis in other ways. Eager to show their gratitude to the firefighters who traveled from near and far to fight the Parker Ridge Fire, the community came together to provide food for those on the front lines.

Jeff and Tia Avery of Boundary County Oath Keepers started a food drive for the fire crews. Donations of snack foods, water, baby wipes, toilet paper, home baked goodies and more were all accepted at 3 Mile Antiques. “You should have seen the amount of donations that came in. I was in total awe of what our community can do,” said Denise McGinnis, who spoke to Tia about wanting to put on a dinner for the firefighters due to the fact that they couldn't go home at night and have a home cooked meal. “Our local restaurants are all fabulous, but I can imagine it gets old eating out every night.”

McGinnis contacted the United States Forest Service and explained that she wanted to bring a meal to the fire crews. They loved her idea and planned it for August 31.

“We set it up at the Forest Service parking lot and brought the dinner to them,” said McGinnis of the Mexican meal they prepared. “My daughter-in-law, Kristen Mierke, contacted stores and restaurants who came through with food and cash donations.”

Among those donating were Teresa’s Hair Salon, Akins Harvest Foods, Far North Deli, Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant, Safeway, 3 Mile Antiques, South Hill Meats, KG and T Septic Tanks and Caring People for Animals.

Among the 20 plus volunteers who showed up to cook and serve the firefighters were representatives from Bonners Ferry Fire Department, the ambulance service, the sheriff’s department, the Oath Keepers and more.

“I had so many phone calls offering to help my head was spinning,” said McGinnis.

In the end McGinnis, who gives much of the credit to Jeff and Tia Avery, estimates they fed 110 people including firefighters, support personnel and volunteers. “We went through 240 tortillas, 30 lbs of burger, 16 lbs of chicken, 10 lbs of sausage, 10 lbs of bacon, 10 cups of green peppers, onions and tomatoes, 200 ounces of sour cream, 18 lbs of cheese and a whole lot of salsa,” said McGinnis.

Tia reached out to the community and asked for donations of desserts. The response was overwhelming. Organizers offered the firefighters plates full to take with them. “I could not believe how many people donated,” said McGinnis, who adds that many of the firefighters were very young men. “One was from Alaska and had never been outside his home state. He was just tickled when we gave him a whole plate full of desserts.”

One goal that organizers wanted to accomplish in feeding their heroes was that they wanted to bring the food to them. “We wanted to take the food to them so that every firefighter could eat,” said McGinnis. “One said he had never been in a community where the community served them a meal. That was a special moment.”

To cook, they improvised using discs from farm equipment, setting them on a stand with a torch below. And the crews were beyond grateful.

“It wasn't enough for them to thank one person. They shook our hands thanking us repeatedly, and we were the ones trying to thank them! It was such a humbling experience,” said McGinnis, who added that her group was just one that provided food for the community, crediting Lisa Carle with being instrumental in organizing several meals for the fire crews.

About the town she has called home for 19 years, McGinnis said, “When faced with a crisis of any sort we all pull together to accomplish the same goal. I didn’t think I would have the time or energy to organize it all. Well around here you don't have to worry about that. The Lord put certain people in my path and it all took care of itself.”

A heartfelt thank you to all who gave of their time and resources to our community.

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