LEONARDTOWN, Md. – These volunteers do more than just give their time and energy to their organization. They give their heart and soul to the community to help out those in need. They deserve a day of recognition.

The 24th annual First Responders Appreciation Day was created for all of the people who volunteer with St. Mary’s County’s squads and departments, said Mark Pettit, who was involved in planning the event.

Almost 500 volunteers from all emergency medical service (EMS) rescue squads, seven fire departments and the joint fire and rescue squad and the advanced life support unit within St. Mary’s County gathered in Leonardtown Aug. 13.

“Some are still on call. We just had some people run to Loveville for an accident,” said Pettit.

“Seventh District brought an ambulance and had an individual who needed medical assistance and we called them up and they took the person to the hospital,” said Kelly Bell, who was also involved with planning.

A lot of people don’t come by because there have to be people in the area to run calls, said Pettit.

“The county has been doing for over 20 years. They provide the funds to host this event, and Optimist Club provided the food, and don’t charge for the labor because they are a volunteer non-profit,” said Pettit, who added the event gets bigger every year.

“We try to make it better every year. We had inflatables like bouncy castles for the children and Bruster’s was out here with ice cream,” said Pettit.

Local and state government officials were also at the event to show their appreciation.

The local Lions’ and Rotary clubs teamed up to provide steamed crabs, water and other beverages, said Pettit.

“Everyone chips in to show their appreciation for those who volunteer,” said Pettit.
There’s a raffle for the volunteers and many of the prizes are donated by local organizations and companies, said Bell.

Some of the volunteers represent generations of families, said Pettit.

“Most of your outlying departments like Seventh District, or Ridge have generations. Lexington Park rescue squad has three generations, and others have four,” said Pettit.

In many departments, volunteers have moved here are also involved in the military, said Bell.

“They serve our nation and give us our freedom during the day and go out on calls with their departments or squads in the evenings. It’s really great,” said Bell.

Contact Jacqui Atkielski at j.atkielski@thebaynet.com.