First responders receive well-deserved

THANK YOU

By PHYLLIS HODGES

The first responders who dropped by the United Methodist Church in Sun City Center on September 9 have one thing in common. They are there to serve. Whether it’s their job or their desire to help their neighbors, we appreciate them—and we should tell them so more often. Although it isn’t praise they are looking for, first responders say that gestures such as the event by UMC are appreciated.

Hillsborough County firefighters, from left: Edgar Barreneche and Ryan Smith get a welcome from Linda Heinen and Patricia Hoying at one of the two Hugging Stations.

Those who attended represented a wide range of Hillsborough County fire and law enforcement officers, the Florida Highway Patrol and local groups who provide valuable services. Some were attending for the first time– emergency squad volunteers Bob and Liz Bialaszewski, for example. When they moved here two years ago, they were surprised to learn that such an organization exists. “We recently began looking for a way to give back to the community—something that served the entire area—and feel the squad does that. It’s not that great a commitment, and you work with some wonderful people,” said Liz, who is training to be a coordinator. Bob is a dispatcher.

From left: UMC Community Connections Team coach, Jane Keegan, credits her 10-member team, the 10-member fellowship committee, led by Ray Bibiski, and the church’s leadership for the event’s success. Director of Ministries Pat Hill and Pat Jones, church photographer, join Keegan and Bibiski here for a photo.

The church’s Community Connections Team, led by Jane Keegan, has organized the annual affair for four years. It included a tasty buffet lunch, two hugging stations and goody bags with on-the-go snacks. “I am happy to be a part of a group of loving, dedicated folks who make a difference. We love to greet our first responders and say, “Thank you.” We were especially thankful this year to have such a wide variety of first responders,” Keegan said. She said they prepare for about 125 and excess food, if any, is delivered to workers at the stations who are too busy to get away. That has happened, she reflected. In fact, one year, there was a community emergency that occurred during the event’s time period, and the last thing on the responders’ minds was a free lunch. Attendance was light, so they delivered a lot that year. And then, there was the last-minute rescheduling in 2017 when Hurricane Irma threatened.

Liz and Bob Bialaszewski enjoyed lunch and mingling with others committed to serving their community at the SCC United Methodist Church First Responders Thank You event. They joined the emergency squad only four months ago.
PHYLLIS HODGES PHOTOS

Tiffani Martinez, the church’s operations director, echoed Keegan’s comments and added kudos for local volunteers who help keep the community, and, in turn, the UMC congregation, safe. “Under the leadership and support of Senior Pastor Charles D. Rentz, we look forward to each coming year in expanding our support to our first responders and leading by example in our community,” she said.