CONTRIBUTED BY Bradley Robertson
OPINION —
It is finally here, dear friends. The wind has brought in a new crisp season, and I hope it has no plans of leaving us anytime soon. Pumpkins and mums are adorning our porches and fresh, cool air has replaced the moist summer. And is it just me, or does anyone else notice the calling crows this time of year? Are they as happy as we are for this changing season?
Fall makes me want to gather around a table over a pot of chili, inviting anyone I know or see. I want to open up the windows and doors of my home to the cool air and have fall be a guest at my table. This season brings with it a sense of togetherness and sharing. Whether that be football games or our own porches, fellowship seems to be what we do best around here.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, I visited Oak Bowery Church just outside of Opelika on U.S. Highway 431. Under huge shading live oak trees was a village of smiling faces chattering and serving. Children were playing and there was a market of pumpkins and mums for sale of all shapes, sizes and colors. Up a white, wooden ramp leading into the church, a handful of women were beneath an awning receiving tickets and ushering people to pick up their tasty barbecue lunch.
Four hundred tickets of barbecue plates had been sold to people in and around the Oak Bowery community as a first-ever Barbecue Fundraiser for the Oak Bowery Volunteer Fire Department. Following months of planning and preparation, it was a hit. Not only were community members eager to receive a nice Saturday lunch, the response was in support of a greater mission of the fire department to successfully supply water and emergent care for rural people.
Living rurally, I myself don’t think much about “what if” situations of a fire or a car accident, but facts speak for themselves. Outside of city limits, there are no hydrants or grand facilities around the corner to support an emergency situation. What is available are volunteers and tanks of water supply close by, all provided by everyday people with everyday jobs, on stand-by to go and assist in an emergency.
The Oak Bowery Volunteer Fire Department, OBVFD, serves about a 5-mile radius within its community. It was founded in 1980 with a strong presence to serve, neighbor to neighbor. In years past, the department had dwindled down to only three members. Today, however, from a new sense of commitment and mission, there are more than 26 active and trained volunteers, all of whom provide their services beyond their daily jobs and families.
Along with the boots-on-the-ground volunteers, there is an auxiliary team. Their efforts are focused on support and fundraising along with a local mission to provide resources and care for displaced families upon an emergency.
The biggest challenge for a rural volunteer fire department is water. Where will it come from? Over the past five years, the department has been able to strategically place three water tanks throughout their coverage area, providing more than 50,000 gallons of water supply. Once water was in place, volunteers were trained on how to quickly and efficiently move the water when in need.
“Rural volunteer fire departments operate with extremely limited public funding,” said Cindy Henderson, a lead member of the auxiliary team. “Basic operating expenses consume much of what is available. Major improvements, equipment purchases and growth depend heavily on grants, donations, fundraisers and community support.”
These grants and donations are what have allowed the fleet to grow in the past five years, along with goal-focused and dedicated department members. The fundraising component for the fire department is just getting started, and the community support for the Barbecue Fundraiser comes as no surprise to me. For isn’t it food and fellowship that Southerners do best?
I believe our eagerness gets the absolute best of us this time of year. People eager to share what they have and eager to invite others to join us. [Are you] eager to get outside? Give someone a smile and offer up yourself for something greater.
Being at the fundraiser that Saturday was not only pleasing to my eye and my taste buds, it was a reminder of the giving nature of who we are.
“With over 400 plates presold, the event exceeded our expectations,” said Gavin Nawrocki. “We are grateful for the church members, firefighters and community supporters. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Oak Bowery Church for graciously hosting the event… this fundraiser was a powerful demonstration of the strength that comes from community collaboration.”
OBVFD has a growing and lively Facebook page. Please look them up for future events and happenings at Oak Bowery Volunteer Fire Department.
