Fill a truck…feed a friend
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By JEFF SNYDER
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Area firefighters and their colleagues have joined forces to help area residents in need during the holiday season.
Fire departments in Mount Ayr, Diagonal and Kellerton, have organized a food drive in honor of Faye Stull to recognize her 50 years of service to the fire department.
Stull was most recently honored in February 2023 for 50 years of service related to her roll in transporting Mount Ayr Community School students to and from not only school, but to various sporting and extracurricular events as a bus driver.
Stull’s roles with the fire department over the years have been many, none more important, however, than her role in leading the group know as the “Embers.”
The Embers are a group of firefighter wives who have faithfully provided support to their respective husbands and significant others in a role that holds a special place in the hearts of those walking into harm’s way on every potential call.
The Embers will prepare meals, bring water and refreshments to the firefighters while they go about their dangerous duties. They help organize the house when the firefighters are called to assist the community they volunteer to serve.
“They are not looking for any praise for doing what they do,” long time Mount Ayr Fire Chief Mike Wimer said about the Embers. “They are just helping the best way they can.”
Even though Stull is not looking for any special treatment for her role with the department, the fact that this food drive is being done in her honor is the firefighting communty’s was of saying thanks.
The food drive will culminate on Saturday, December 6. A series of boxes have been placed throughout several area businesses in order to collect the food donations.
All the departments that have participated in the food drive will converge Ringgold County Courthouse square Mount Ayr. The departments will participate in the “Lighted Parade” starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Depot site and will proceed around the square.
There will be a hot cocoa bar, apple cider and baked goods available for purchase that evening as well as trucks on the square to collect donations. The collected items will be distributed to area food banks. There is currently a high demand for soups, cake/brownie mixes, ready-made meals and food that can be used for multiple meals such as pasta, noodles and sauces. Expired food items cannot be accepted or used.
