BILL HODGES PHOTOS
Pat Hill (center) and Linda Heinen welcome Jorge Ignara to the First Responders appreciation brunch/lunch at the United Methodist Church of SCC. Ignara, an EMT with the SCC Emergency Squad since February, wasted no time volunteering after his move to SCC from Connecticut in January. “It is always great to help the community,” he said.
Yes, there is such a thing as a free lunch — for “first responders,” that is. They give selflessly of themselves day after day and the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center wanted to make a gesture of appreciation. A brunch/lunch on Oct. 9 was their way to say thank you.
Judging from the turnout of about 125, the opportunity to mingle with fellow service-minded individuals over brunch or lunch was appealing. The church parking lot was teeming with vehicles for the entire three hours (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) as responders showed up in force from the SCC Emergency Squad, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the H.C. Fire Department and other civic groups who are always there to answer our calls for help.
In addition to a tasty buffet in the lobby of the church’s Life Fulfillment Center, volunteers from the church’s Community Connections Team were doling out appreciation hugs and a goody bag of flavorful snacks. Some ate at the church; others had to run so were given “to go” meals.
This was the second first responders appreciation event the church has sponsored. Community Connections Team Chairman Jane Keegan and a dozen or so more worked with Director of Ministry Pat Hill and Sr. Pastor Dr. Charles Rentz to make it happen. “With everything that is happening in the country right now, we need to show our appreciation,” said Shirley Walker, a team member.
Sun City Center Emergency Squad Chief Mike Bardell (seated center) said the squad is grateful for the support this community shows, both monetary and by volunteering. He is shown here with members of the squad and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Jeff Merry (standing right) echoed the sentiment. “We definitely like the appreciation we are shown in this community. This was a great way to bring the first responders together.”
Last year was a bit more modest, with first responders driving through to receive a hug, a big thank you and a take-with-you bag of goodies. Hill’s reaction to this year’s success was exuberant. “We are ecstatic that so many came by,” she said, attributing the event’s success to a higher awareness of what it was all about since this was year two. It was initially planned for Sept. 11, but the first responders were a little busy that day dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
Pastor Rentz had this to say: “This is awesome. It is our privilege to honor those who serve. We appreciate the fact that they are there every day, some putting their lives on the line. May God bless them.” The church plans to make this an annual community outreach event.
