Dear editor,

Yesterday afternoon (June 27), American Red Cross volunteers responded to a call from Berrien County firefighters. Berrien Springs-Oronoko, Berrien-Pipestone Township, Royalton Township and Niles fire departments had been called to battle the Premier Tool and Die blaze in Berrien Springs.

The job of the Red Cross was to provide food and water to the firefighters while they did their job. The Red Cross also provided a cooling chair to help relieve the 90-plus-degree temperatures.

We would like to thank the local Berrien Springs McDonald’s and Subway.

The managers of both of these places refused payment for their much-needed cheeseburgers and sub sandwiches to provide sustenance for our firefighters. They also told us to come back if we needed anything else.

It is truly through the generosity of our local community businesses and citizens that we are able to help our local heroes when help is needed.

Sincerely,

Breeze A. Ettl
Chapter Executive
Berrien and Van Buren counties
St. Joseph