Piling snow fuels community kindness

Residents raise $2,750 for Brandon Fire Dept. in 30 hours

 

Individuals, couples, families and friends throughout the Brandon community set out to make a difference last week – one fire hydrant at a time. 

 

Inspired by her fellow city councilperson Brett Bastian’s essay, “BrandonStrong,” Dana Clark issued a challenge on the Facebook page Brandon, SD Ask & Tell, which she co-administers. 

 

Following the heavy snowfall Feb. 20 that canceled school, Clark challenged residents to clear fire hydrants of snow and post before-and-after photos. For every post over the next two days, Clark Insurance would donate $10 to the Brandon Fire Department, up to $500.

 

“Every second counts when there’s a house fire, and it can be the difference between a partial or total loss, and even between life and death,” said Clark, who was also inspired by acts of kindness on social media of neighbors helping one another clear away the snow. “With the fire connection and knowing the BFD is entering their 2019 fund drive, I thought it would be a great supplement to their efforts to start the challenge.” 

 

“BrandonStrong,” which was published on Ask & Tell and in the Feb. 20 issue of the Journal, encouraged the community to work together. Clark encouraged residents to tag their posts #BrandonStrong.

 

Soon other businesses began piggybacking off the challenge, and First National Bank, Bill Thompson–State Farm, Taco John’s, Divine Treasures and Spartan Emergency Response all stepped up to make matching donations. 

 

Brandon has more than 500 fire hydrants, and residents put a substantial dent in that number, shoveling clear 50 fire hydrants in two days and raising $2,750 for the Brandon Fire Department in less than 30 hours.

 

Jamie Relhak and family dug out 13 hydrants, and a couple of Cub Scouts shoveled seven. 

 

Bastian’s family also cleared several, and Clark was delighted to hear that a driver spotted the Bastians shoveling and pulled over to make sure the family knew to take before-and-after photos, as there was money on the line for the fire department. 

 

“That was really neat to hear that it had spread so quickly, and that people wanted to make sure to get the word out to support the BFD!” she said. “Even while my husband, Adam, and I were out shoveling, we were receiving thumbs up’s instead of the typical wave of a hand. You could tell that word got around quickly and the support has been phenomenal! Seeing all the pictures and online activity was amazing – I think the post has around 200 comments!”

 

Clark hopes this was just the beginning of the #BrandonStrong movement. 

 

“We have such an amazing town, and the divisiveness that we’ve been experiencing lately is not productive, and it’s holding us back,” she said. “We need to rally together and focus on solutions, helping one another, and moving our community forward.”