I think maybe you don’t know, you really can’t know—until you stand next to a person in the coffee line at the Best Western who tells you that it was a wall of fire on both sides and that they dodged falling trees the whole way down—what it’s like to survive something like the Camp Fire.
Chances are if you are like many of us, there was someone you met along the way growing up who made a major difference in your life. Perhaps it was your aunt, a soccer coach, a neighbor or a teacher at school. Whoever it may have been, you likely felt transformed, motivated or excited in ways that you hadn’t experienced before.
Cherie was born in Harper Woods, Michigan, a city of about 14,000 residents located about 15 miles from Detroit. Her father worked as a tool and die maker.
Today Michael works full time at Shelburne Rescue squad serving his new community. Michael also began working in June of 2016 as an AEMT with CVFRS. During this time, he has demonstrated many leadership skills and has been promoted to captain on the rescue squad.
Cat got started with CVFRS in 2014. She wanted to do something different and more technical in her volunteering. She made the full commitment taking both Fire 1 and Fire 2 training programs, approximately 220 hours of overall training, followed by written and practical testing.
Volunteer Vermont will hold a potluck reunion on Dec 27, from 3 to 7 p.m., in the vestry of the Charlotte Congregational Church. In addition to sharing memories of Summerton and the Prayer House Mission, the gathering will celebrate the extraordinary life of John Mack, the leader of Volunteer Vermont from its founding until his death on August 12, 2017.