Troy duo delivers donations to Eureka
Mike Vinion and Gary Britton of Troy brought donations of food and other items to firefighters and residents displaced by the Gibraltar Ridge fire in Eureka this week.
The two are also appealing for donations using the growing popularity of the hashtag MontanaStrong, created by Montana residents wanting to help those affected by the recent Lodgepole Complex Fire in Eastern Montana over the past few weeks.
Vinion and Britton mobilized Tuesday, after hearing of Monday night’s evacuations of some Eureka residents due to the proximity of the wildfire. Parked at Steins in Troy on Tuesday and Rosauers in Libby on Wednesday, the pair had the goal of filling Vinion’s truck and trailer with donated items that those affected by the fires may need.
“We’re asking for water, sealed snack foods and hygiene items,” said Britton in the Steins parking lot as a red sun set in a smoky sky. “Firefighters need things like chapstick and wipes.”
Vinion recalled his role as a “volunteer public information officer” that he came to “involuntarily” during fires near Bull Lake two years ago. That experience inspired him to take similar action this week.
“Then (in the summer of 2015) I let people know what I wanted to do and got an extensive list of needs from the actual public information officer,” Vinion said. “Next thing you knew, the temperature went up all over Troy and Libby as people turned their ovens on to cook for the firefighters.”
As shoppers and traffic noticed the bright yellow sign on Vinion’s trailer, people leaned out of car windows to ask “how long will you be here for?” and “what can I do to help?”
“I like being able to actually do something,” said Brenda Rowberry of Troy after handing Britton several loaded bags of juice and peanut butter and jelly. “I know this food will get to someone who needs it, whereas you never know where money goes.”
Britton and Vinion made it to Eureka with their loaded trailer on Wednesday as planned, according to a post to the Gibraltar Ridge fire Facebook page on Wednesday.
“We have been receiving donations to the firefighters and Red Cross shelter throughout the day and have just received a very large donation from the Troy and Libby communities,” the post states. “It is heartwarming to work with folks who are willing to take care of each other.”