The Prospect Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary held their banquet on Jan. 10. The evening included a buffet meal prepared by members of the department and a program that reviewed the year 2015, presented awards and installed the officers.

On a sad note Prospect VFD recognized the Mottley family in honor of Dale Mottley, who passed away in April. 

On the positive side, Alfred Washington’s care of Prospect Engine 41 won first place in the Rural Engine Pumper Category at the Southside Firefighters Association Convention in Crewe.

The department is planning training sessions to enter this year’s competition in Farmville.

The Prospect auxiliary purchased a Chevy Suburban to carry refreshments to fire fighters at an active scene in 2015 to replace the aging former rescue vehicle.

The department was awarded a FEMA grant used to purchase 28 sets of turnout gear and six oxygen masks that cost approximately $72,000. The department sponsored a successful gun raffle that raised almost $5,000.

Prospect VFD answered 108 calls this past year, tying the year 2013. There were 66 dispatched calls to motor vehicles accidents and structure fires. Brush fire calls were answered 15 times.

Other calls included tree removal, six; alarm activation, six; vehicle fire, four; lift assist, three; landing zone set up, three; odor investigation, two; tree on powerline, one; transformer fire, one; cancellation, one.

Our area fire fighters are all volunteers who leave in a second to respond to aid someone else in need.

They have no idea what the situation is going to be when they answer the call. Of 24 active members of Prospect VFD the top 10 responders from number one down are Roger Scruggs, 91 responses; Al Mason, 74; James Boettcher, 60; Alfred Washington, 58; James Redford, 53; Shawn Thompson, 53; William Lewis, 49; Chris Morgan, 48; J. D. Richards, 32; Wayne East, 32; John Thompson, 32; Kevin Foster, 25; and Michael Roach, 24.

James Redford administered the oath of office to fire department and auxiliary officers. Prospect VFD officers are President Michael Roach, Vice President Ray Foster, Secretary Kevin Foster, Chaplain Lynn Fulcher, Chief Al Mason, Assistant Chief Chris Mason, Captain Jamie Boettcher, Property Sargent Shawn Thompson, Quartermaster Will Lewis, and Assistant Quartermaster J. D. Richards. Auxiliary officers are President Wayne East, Vice President Shanna Agee, Secretary Wanda Thompson, Treasurer Phyllis Mason, and Historian Karen Fulcher.

The highlight of the evening was the Fire Fighter of the Year award given to Chief Al Mason for his service on the scene behind the scene work and time given to the department. 

Community Communiqué

There will be a community tire cleanup in recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 647 Prospect Road. Organized by the Obsidian Solutions Group Community Outreach Program, the cleanup will have a positive aesthetic benefit to the High Bridge Trail. The goal is to have 100 volunteers remove 1,000 tires. 

Youth of Glenn Memorial Baptist Church will travel to Liberty Baptist Church Ministry Center in Appomattox Sunday at 2 p.m. for an afternoon of ice-skating. The event is free, but parents are required to accompany children. Hot chocolate and refreshments will be provided at GMBC afterward.  

Glenn Memorial’s Senior Adult Ministry will hold its senior meal Friday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. Bring a covered dish for fellowship and musical inspiration.

The Kitchen Light Community Dinner at Glenn Memorial is Thursday, Jan. 28, from 5:30-7 p.m.  The ministry is collecting gently used shoes and new underpants/socks for distribution in support of “Undie Sunday.”  

A benefit stew ($7 a quart) and yard sale to benefit the Pamplin Playground Restoration Fund will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Pamplin Depot Community Room.

Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers:  Shirley Fulcher, Jimmy Coleman, Noreen Murray, Kenneth Brisentine, Martha Whitehead, Betty Jean Bolt and Gary Fiscus.

“There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.” — Walter Reuther

If you have any news, call Edwina Covington (434) 574-6576.

EDWINA COVINGTON is a retired teacher and columnist for Elam. Her email is ecovington@centurylink.net.