The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
THANKS FOR BRAVERY
Banquet shows community appreciation for first responders and their selfless service
Lorain community members, elected officials, and first responders crowded into the gymnasium at St. Frances Xavier
Cabrini Roman Catholic Parish in Lorain to show appreciation for the sacrifice and bravery of first responders.
The Second Annual First Responder Appreciation Banquet was held Jan. 28 at the church, 2143 Homewood Dr., and was presented by the Southside Block Watch in partnership with The Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues and Progress, Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will, Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley, Lorain City Council President Joel Arredondo, Lorain Council At-Large Mary Springowski, Lorain City Councilman - Sixth Ward Rey Carrion,
“Thank you so much, this event is beautiful.” — Sgt. Jake Morris of the Lorain Police Department
Eastside Block Watch, Kiedrowski’s Bakery, Lorain County Commissioner Sharon Sweda and other community leaders.
“This is the second year we have done this, and we really wanted to do something
for the first responders in our community,” said Leigh McKimmie, member of the Southside Block Watch and organizer of the banquet. “We also added to it with getting more people involved. We didn’t have to call any sponsors, they called us.”
Sgt. Jake Morris of the Lorain Police Department said the department appreciated
the banquet.
“Thank you so much, this event is beautiful,” he said. “All the hard work that went behind this, we really appreciate. It’s immeasurable, the amount of support we get from our community. It’s really what keeps these guys going. When the snow is coming down, the sun is beating down, when they’re going call to call... it’s the support they get from you all that keeps us going and inspires us.”
Lorain County Metro Parks Ranger Josh Campbell said he is thankful for the community support.
“Thanks for coming here, we really appreciate you,” he said. “We couldn’t be here without you. We do everything because of you.”
Lorain Fire Department Lt. Dan Russell was also thankful for the banquet.
“We want to thank you guys for throwing this for us,” he said. “We are in and out of these streets all year and often it seems like we don’t get noticed, so it’s good to see something like this take place.”
David Nico Hill, an Evangelist with God’s Soldier Ministries, said first responders do what others won’t.
“We can’t thank you enough for every time you run into a burning building,” he said. “For every time you run into a dangerous situation...We are so grateful.”
Lorain County Commissioner Sharon Sweda said the banquet is important.
“We really need to show more appreciation,” she said. “Not only does it make the first responders feel good, it helps the people who put it together because it makes them feel like they helped the people who protect us day in and day out.”