Nicholas Bostic, age 25, saved 5 children from their burning home, the police say they watched Bostic jump out of a two-story window holding a 6-year-old from the burning home. Many people can tell he is brave and even heroic. Bostic had the courage that many may not have, he took control of his fear rather than let it control him. 

Stories like Bostic’s and the bravery he showcased are why I created the fundraiser “Fight The Fire.” 

I appreciate our first responders, and I know that the traumatic events they encounter daily have the potential to haunt their minds. They do more than we know: We dont see the gruesome sights, hear the screams, nor have to hold the victims when they are crying. When were driving down the road, and that fire truck is screaming for all cars to move, we just see lights; they see the horrors if they dont make it in time.

After seeing the firetruck respond to our school due to a fire alarm, I was inspired to create a raffle at our school, the profits of which would go towards providing a meal to our local firefighters. My hope was that people would overlook the basket gift prize if they won the raffle and see the importance of supporting our firefighters. I hoped the basket would draw people in and then let the rest unfold. 

I sat during all lunches for multiple days to sell tickets, and I heard the stories of how firemen were people’s heroes or how they had held them as their home of years burned to the ground. The winner of the raffle was one of the students that genuinely wanted to help out the fundraiser and not for self gain. He was one of the few students who didn’t want the tickets for just the basket, so I was thrilled to hear his name when I read out senior Nicholas Tedar was the winner. With the money that was raised, I was able to buy lunch for all the firemen that were a part of the Shallotte Fire Department on duty. Many people don’t realize that they dont have a typical 6-8 hour shift; these men and women have 24-hour shifts.

When they see their partners, they see family, when I asked fireman John Cruikshank what his favorite memory working with the Shallotte Fire Department was, all he could say was, “When it was his first day,” and he pointed to his best friend, fireman, Tim Price. After spending an hour with these guys, talking to them and seeing how they are with each other, it can change how you see the red truck with lights and sirens. I know for me it did at least. They played around like brothers, and laughed like the best of friends, and their smiles around each other were nothing but genuine. 

Cruikshank always wanted to become a firefighter, saying “I was a little kid who never outgrew his dream.” When you get that call that something has happened to someone you love, Cruikshank said, “my father was dying and the only people who beat me there were the police and the fire department.” 

I encourage anyone who can speak to one of these men and women to hear their stories and help them understand the people who may have to save your, parents, friends, or children one day.