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Members of Aquadale Rural Volunteer Fire Department saw a need across the state and did something to fulfill that need.
It began shortly after Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina in late September.
For Aquadale VFD, the location it focused on helping was Pond Mountain, which is located in Creston, a small rural community in Ashe County near the North Carolina borders of Virginia and Tennessee.
Aquadale firefighters made three trips to western North Carolina, delivering thousands of pounds of supplies donated by local residents.
After these trips, Aquadale fire chief Terry Smith learned that Pond Mountain Fire and Rescue was in need of a fire truck.
At a meeting of the ARVFD Board of Directors on Nov. 21, board members voted unanimously to give a retired truck to Pond Mountain.
Pond Mountain fire chief Toby Miller and board members Mike Farmer and Tom Farmer came to Aquadale on Nov. 27 to drive the truck back to the mountains.
“They were real appreciative of it,” Smith said, adding that residents had reached out to the fire department via social media to share words of thanks.
“Over the years the ARVFD has received equipment assistance from other fire departments such as Norwood Center Rural Volunteer Fire Department and Wesley Chapel Fire Department,” Aquadale board member Byron Harward added. “Members of the Aquadale Rural Volunteer Fire Department and Board of Directors felt like this was the perfect opportunity to pass assistance forward to those who truly need it.”

B.J. Drye is general manager/editor of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123.