Vicki Hood Editor GUERNSEY--Rawland Isabell is just eight years old but he already has a maturity level that rivals someone well beyond his age. With wildfires raging in the West and even within a mile of Guernsey this past month, even children have been impacted by the events and Rawland seems to understand the gravity of the situation and the costs involved. As Rawland and his grandma, Dawndrea Daly drove around and talked about the fires, Rawland says his thoughts turned to how the firefighters have to have equipment and trucks and food and with a childs imagination, he wished the firefighters could have a wishing well that would provide for all those things. I told my Grandma that I wanted to find a way to give them the money they needed but we didnt have a wishing well. Then after a while, we decided I could have a lemonade stand and raise the money that way. When a grandson has the kind of interest and concern that Rawland has, grandparents dont have to have more reason than that to get busy making arrangements and thats exactly what Dawndrea did next. As a store employee at Thrifty Foods in Guernsey, Dawndrea got the support from her supervisors and Rawlands Lemondade Stand was organized and in the works. And then Rawland found out that sometimes people will do the right thing-and all that has to happen is for someone to take the lead. When my grandma came home from her job at the store, someone had already given her $20 when they found out we were going to have the lemonade stand-and they didnt even have any lemondade! On Wednesday, June 13th, Rawland spent several hours selling lemonade, cookies and cinnamon rolls and by the time the jugs were empty and the goodies were gone, Rawland and his customers had collected $167.63, a figure he proudly recalls--to the penny-as he talks about the level of success his efforts have attained. With a wide grin, Rawland told of taking his profits to the bank. We took the money to get it counted but they had to saw the top off the jug to get it all counted., His first donation was designated for the Guernsey Rural Fire Dstrict No. 2 but because of the demand for their services over the past month, setting up a presentation became a challenge, so Rawland just dropped off his proceeds at their department. But as donations continue to come in, Rawland has designated the Hartville Fire Department as the next beneficiary and a presentation will be made at one of their upcoming meetings. Asked how he felt about being able to help in such a positive way, Rawland says he likes being able to help the firefighters get the things they need, such as equipment, food and protective gear. Even at eight, Rawland recognizes that firefighters are a unique group. I just think theyre very, very special people. And its not too hard to guess what he would like to be someday. I want to be a firefighter and work for BNSF too, he says. His shy smile and huge brown eyes belie his determination but it is definitely there. You can be anything you want to be; you just have to believe in yourself. In a summer thats been too hot, too dry and too dangerous already, Rawlands take on the whole situation likely speaks for many in the community when he says, These fires are just crazy! Not too many would argue that point for sure. But even for the craziness, its nice to know we have some young people ready to step up to the challenge. Look for Rawland at the front of that line. (came across this old article from the gazette and had to repost,his mama and we are still so proud of him too)
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 18:14:55 +0000
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