First responders treated by students for courageous deeds

9/11/2017

Capt. Rob Wepler high-fives students as he enters Springfield High School, where the school's Students in Action initiative gave cookies to members of the Springfield Township Fire Department as a thank you for their service, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Sixteen-year-old Joshua Fox is too young to remember the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Springfield High School junior said he knows of the events from talking to his parents about what they remember and through his teachers at school.

Still on Monday he and his classmates marked the 16th anniversary of the attacks by giving more than 1,000 home-baked cookies to the firefighters and paramedics of the Springfield Township Fire Department.

Joshua said he baked about four dozen chocolate-chip cookies for the first responders to show his appreciation for the work they do on a daily basis.

"These brave men and women are risking their lives day in and day out for the safety of everyone. Today is the perfect day to offer a simple thank you to honor them," he said.

The event was part of the school's Students in Action initiative to promote community service.

About a dozen firefighters and paramedics assigned to the department's three stations rolled up to the high school on McCord Road in fire trucks and other vehicles shortly after 11 a.m.

Students showed their gratitude to the men and women with signs that read "Never forget" and "Thank you for your service".

Kristina White, district spokesman, said the first responders were called to the school building for a non-emergency and didn't know they were going to get a hero's welcome of cheers and cookies.

Instead of running into harm's way and finding something bad happening, this time they got to run into into a building to find something good, she said.

Richard Helminski, assistant fire chief, said the students should be recognized for their volunteer effort, especially since many of them were not born until after the attacks and may not understand the impact the attacks have had on Americans.

"We do know 9/11 impacted alot of people," said Mr. Helminski, who is the school board president. "For them to do this for something they are not familiar with is really remarkable."

Contact Mark Reiter at markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.