Hundreds of free meals are being served to Henderson County first responders on Oct. 7, giving crews a chance to slow down during an increasingly busy year.

The seventh annual First Responders Day of Thanks brings local businesses and community groups together to provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts throughout the day. The appreciation comes as the workload grows. Henderson County EMS reports responding to more than 500 additional calls since last year.

Organizer David Lewkowicz, lead pastor of The Bridge Church Hendersonville, said this event is a community effort that is worth putting on every year.

“They look forward to this day — they love this day — because it gives them a chance to slow down and sit down and have a meal,” Lewkowicz said. “A lot of our responders...their meals are in a truck on the go.”

Volunteers also deliver meals to responders who are out on calls and cannot make it to the event. Responders are also welcomed to invite family members for dinner.

Henderson County Emergency Management Planner Victoria Cortes said it's a time to relax and enjoy everyone's company.

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“We don’t have to cook dinner. We don’t have to wonder where food is coming from,” Cortes said. “We’re able to just sit there and be with our family, but also our larger family, our first responder family.”

And as businesses provide a break Wednesday, another group is preparing people to offer support when first responders are on the job. The Trauma Intervention Program of Western North Carolina, or TIP, begins training a new class of volunteers Wednesday. The organization says it is seeing increased interest from community members looking to help.

TIP volunteers respond to emergency scenes and stay with people in crisis, providing emotional support, while first responders focus on the emergency and move on to other calls.

“We step in as that emotional support to the family and provide resources,” TIP’s Reagan Bromiley said. “That way the first responders can get back into service, because we can stay on scene while they go on to another call.”

New volunteers complete 55 hours of training in emotional first aid and crisis response, followed by three months in the field with an experienced TIP volunteer. Once trained, they can respond around the clock to fires, crashes, sudden deaths and other crises.

The Day of Thanks is supported by businesses and organizations across Henderson County. AdventHealth Hendersonville is the presenting corporate sponsor, with The Bridge Church Hendersonville, Upward Christian Fellowship and The Bridge Christian Academy serving as presenting community sponsors.

HenDough Chicken & Donuts, Refuge Coffee Company, Champa, BTM Food Truck, Whit’s Frozen Custard and Van’s Chocolates are among those providing food and drinks throughout the day.

Lewkowicz said any remaining food will be donated to a local shelter. He also hopes to eventually work with Buncombe County to bring a Day of Thanks there.

To support first responders year-round, TIP’s fall training continues through Oct. 17. For more information on how to volunteer click here.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.