Going the extra miles to help...

So what did you do last week?

               Chances are you rounded you the family for a long Thanksgiving weekend, maybe hung holiday decorations or did some holiday shopping.

               Sounds like a plan.

               Unless of course you were one of 14 members of the Buffalo Grove police or fire departments who gave up their time to help first responders in central Illinois whose lives were thrown into turmoil by the Nov. 17 tornadoes.

               More than just a fund-raising drive, eight took time off and went to Washington, Pekin and Coal City to help fellow cops and fire fighters with getting their lives back in order.

               Wait, is this another blog lauding the efforts of BG’s first responders for their charitable work?

               Damn right.  Deal with it.

               Most of the time their efforts go unheralded.   Fire Chief Terry Vavra will remind residents of the annual “Fill the Boot” drive for MDA.  Vavra and the fire department also were front and center in the war against Breast Cancer a few years ago by having pink fire trucks stop by BG Days.  The fire fighters also sold pink T-shirts and sweatshirts to raise funds to fight breast cancer.

               So it wasn’t a complete surprise when Vavra Police Chief Steven Casstevens told the Village Board Monday night about the efforts of the BG 14 who went with a truck supplied by high school district 214 to the storm ravaged, areas armed with supplies, clothing and $8,600 worth of gift cards.

               The eight who went? Dan Pasquarella, Frank Horbus, Roy Bethge, Hector De La Paz, Michael Rodriguez, Randy Smith, Ross Valstyn and Melessa Horbus. It was no picnic, two videos at this link, BG First Responders help tornado victims, document their efforts.

               They’re not household names as the Village Board or staff may be, but their efforts reflect well on the village.  These are the professionals who respond residents’ call for assistance.  Checking the police report every week, I can tell you their service is outstanding – not to mention their patience.

               The efforts to fund raise or help others are great examples of going above and beyond.  As Vavra told the Village Board Monday night, “They were Told stories by first responders that are Horrific ; the devastation is unbelievable;  I’m glad we can make difference  in their lives in a small way. It shows us this (Buffalo Grove) is a great place to live and work.”

               The accompanying pictures are worth more than a thousand words.  There are just four more needed.

               Great job; thank you.

Unloading supplies from trucks supplied by High School District 214

Buffalo Grove's  Melessa Horbus (far right) with officer Hector De La Paz and Officer Frank Horbus.

Second from left is Pekin police officer Nathan Ujinski.