WELLSVILLE — The tires are turning and will soon be rolling across the grass to park underneath the trees in Island Park on Saturday for the 10th Anniversary Ancient Order of Hibernians’ Park ‘N the Park car show.
A bigger-than-ever turnout is expected for this anniversary year, noted one of the founders and organizers of the annual event, Brian Cannon. More than 100 vehicles have been on display in recent years in spite of stormy weather. Vehicles come from all over
Western and Central New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Maryland for the event, which features new, vintage and classic trucks and motorcycles and classic, vintage and foreign cars.
Free for spectators, registration for participants will get underway at 10 a.m. with the vehicles parking in the open areas under the trees. Special this year, veterans will be eligible to show their car for free, and will receive a free lunch for themselves and their family from one of the four local food vendors, car or no car
While the car show,
which runs until 3 p.m., is fun not only for those participating and spectators, it serves a greater purpose. It is one of the local AOH’s biggest fund raisers, helping to support local charities and assist local families facing medical or other issues.
Cannon said, “Our local AOH Division has supported the Hart Comfort House of Allegany County, Catholic Charities Joyce Family Food Pantry in Wellsville (Which serves over 2100 local individuals facing food challenges) and the Fillmore
Langworthy highlights wins for WNY farmers, rural communities
Making a swing Aug. 26 through the Southern Tier, Rep. Nick Langworthy used a stop at an Allegany County Dairy farm to tout provisions in legislation passed this summer that benefit farmers and rural America.
The congressman, meeting with dairy farmer Aaron Brooks at Hillcrest Homestead Farm on Taylor Hill Road, Rushford, called H.R. 1 — or the
Saturday 9/6 & Sunday 9/7 8am-5pm
Rain or Shine multiple sales w/in 6-7 street area
LOOKING TO RENT
Highlights outlined by Langworthy, R-23rd District, include:
“One Big Beautiful Bill” signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 — “a landmark victory for agriculture, small business and rural America. This legislation delivers immediate tax relief and secures the future of family farms for generations to come.”
ly 12% today. Thanks to H.R. 1, those increases will never hit.”
The congressman also noted that two of his dairy bills were included in H.R. 1.
• Permanent relief against the s0-called death tax: He said more than two million family farms in the United States, including 5,500 in his 23rd Congressional District, had faced “devastating taxes” that force families to sell off land. Now, farms and ranches can be passed down to the next generation.
• Permanent small business deduction: A 20% deduction is fixed permanently, giving more stability to farm owners.
• 100% immediate expensing: Farmers can write off the cost of new tools, equipment and structures right away.
The Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act increases transparency by requiring processors to report costs and yields to help ensure farmers get a fair price for their milk, while the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act modernizes the Dairy Margin Coverage program by updating production levels every five years. The congressman said this means small- and medium-size dairies can insure more of their milk and better protect against volatility in the market.
a place near Wellsville NY for the months of Oct.-Nov.-Dec. Preferably not in town but within 5-miles of Wellsville. 2-bdrm. minimum. Call Mike at 717-503-3040.
RUMMAGE SALE
HELD OVER!
Grace United Church at 289 N. Main St. Wellsville will continue their Rummage Sale for one last day!!! Saturday, September 6th $3.00 a BAG from 9 to 1.
• Opportunity zones for rural America: Langworthy said renewing this program is expected to drive more than $100 billion of investment into rural and underserved communities.
“These changes build on the success of the 2017 Trump tax cuts,” he said. “Back then, small and medium family farms saw their tax rates drop by as much as 6%. Without permanent relief, many would be facing tax hikes of near-
Meanwhile, Langworthy said negotiations are again underway on the farm bill and he is working to include legislation that benefits rural Western New York, including a measure to expand workforce development and career pathway programs in key industries like healthcare, utilities, child care and agribusiness.
His MAPLE Act would add maple syrup to the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, opening new markets for producers while the Supporting All Producers Act would ensure maple producers have representation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Acer program, improving
research and innovation in the maple industry.
The GRAPE Act would create crop insurance for grape growers to protect against freeze losses.
Langworthy said the Rural Telehealth and
Education Enhancement Act would reauthorize USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, giving rural families access to more healthcare and education options.
Photo provided
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy (left) meets with dairy farmer Aaron Brooks on Aug. 26 in Rushford.
ALBANY (TNS)
— Hunters who use crossbows are celebrating after a long battle to make crossbows legally equivalent to other archery equipment ended successfully with Gov. Kathy Hochul signing Senate bill S6360 into law.
The state legislature overwhelmingly supported the bill allowing crossbows throughout the archery season, with the Senate passing the bill 57-2 and the Assembly unanimously passing the bill in June. The governor signed the new law permitting crossbows for hunting big game in any area longbows and compound bows are allowed on Tuesday. The law takes effect immediately.
Hunters will need a Bow Hunter Education Certificate and an Archery Privilege to use a crossbow during bow season, which opens
ALFRED — Excite-
ment filled the air as Alfred State College (ASC) welcomed its largest incoming class since 2010, with nearly 1,500 new students joining the Pioneer community this fall. The overall campus
Sept. 27 in the Northern Zone, and Oct. 1 in the Southern Zone, which includes all Southern Tier counties. Hunting licenses went on sale earlier this month. Bowhunter education and testing materials can be found on the state Depart-
ment of Environmental Conservation website.
The DEC noted that crossbow usage will be taught in a bow hunter safety course, while the new law removes maximum draw weight and width restrictions on crossbows.
“We would like
Governor signs law allowing crossbows during full NY archery season
to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who supported the passage of the crossbow bill in New York State,” said Jim Froio, president of the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.
“Thanks to your efforts, New York’s
sporting community has gained new opportunities that will benefit hunters, conservation, and future generations.”
Bowhunting groups in New York resisted allowing crossbow hunters full access to the fall archery season; as crossbows became a more popular implement for hunting, a compromise was reached in 2014 allowing the two-week window.
Crossbows have been permitted for all hunters during the full archery season in Pennsylvania since 2009.
The past 10 years, hunters in the Southern Zone have only been permitted to use crossbows during the last two weeks of the archery season. In the 2024 season, while compound and traditional bows could be used beginning Oct. 1, crossbows could only be used Nov. 2 through the end of the fall archery season, which was Nov. 15. Crossbows have been legal to use for big game during the extent of New York’s regular firearms season, which usually runs from mid-November to early December.
Excitement high as classes begin at Alfred State
population now exceeds 3,600, bucking the trend as some colleges in the region face declining enrollment.
inquiry about costs and programs to their first day of class, many have found the enthusiasm of Alfred State’s faculty and staff contagious.
Leaders credit this momentum to a student-first approach that combines strong financial aid packages, personalized advising, career-focused academics and guidance that extends all the way to helping students land their first job.
New students say their transition to college has been eased by this strong sense of community support and a welcoming atmosphere, highlighted by more than one hundred events during the Week of Welcome.
Branded the “A-Team for Support,”
Alfred State’s wraparound services include more than 30 offices dedicated to student needs, from financial aid to academic advising. From their first
Alfred State President Dr. Steven Mauro credited the college’s momentum to this comprehensive network of services. “Our community is strong, and we are excited for these students to start the new school year. Our caring faculty and professionals are ready to support them in and outside the classroom as they learn and grow.”
A four percent increase in transfer students also contributed to this year’s success, aided by the SUNY Transfer campaign, which eases the path
from two-year to fouryear schools. ASC is expanding articulation agreements, including a new pathway with SUNY Niagara, giving community college students innovative ways to pre-plan their bachelor’s degree. Academic resources are another hallmark of Alfred State’s student-first approach. The Center for Academic Resources & Excellence (CARE) provides tutoring, mentoring, advising, and accessibility services. A focused effort to expand tutoring and advising last year resulted in hundreds of additional student interactions and boosted retention for at-risk students by more than 10 percent.
“From tutoring, to advising, to success coaching, and mentoring, our staff is here to assist students,” said Dean for Academic Support and Student Success Francine Staba.
“We are here to help take them from day one to crossing the stage at commencement.”
Career readiness also remains central to the Alfred State experience. With industry-focused faculty ensuring that many students secure jobs before graduation, the college proudly maintains a 99 percent employment and con-
tinuing education rate within six months of commencement. The return on a college investment is made even stronger when good-paying career outcomes are paired with Alfred State’s affordability. Ninety-four percent of ASC students receive financial support totaling $44 million annually. High-achieving students can receive up to $5,000 each in scholarships directly from Alfred State, providing meaningful relief to a family’s budget and turning college dreams into career successes.
File photo
Crossbows can now be used for the extent of New York state’s archery season after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the change into law earlier this week.
Sinclair to discuss DAR’s 250th plans in Allegany County
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
The September program sponsored by the Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society’s will reveal some of the local plans for the 250th anniversary celebration for the United States in 2026. The program will take place at 6 p.m., Sept 10, in the Monday Club Room at the David A. Howe Library in Wellsville and is free to the public. Joan Sinclair, Honorary Regent of the Catherine
Schuyler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Co-Chair of the local America 250 Committee
will show a PowerPoint program. She will also discuss the DAR Chapter’s ‘Our Revolutionary Cookbook’ and other fundraising efforts to support next year’s 250 celebrations.
The illustrated, oneof-a-kind, cookbook not only includes dishes our pioneering, patriot ancestors ate, it also includes local patriot’s bios, maps and factoids. It was created to help fund the cost of a patriotic monument to be placed in Angelica and copies will be for sale after the program. The cost is $25.
The proposed monument will honor the patriots who lived or settled in what would become Allegany County. An illustration has been rendered of the
design which is currently going to be created by a local monument works. It is to be placed near the Veterans Memorial in Park Circle in Angelica. Angelica was founded and designed by Philip Church and is the first permanent settlement in Allegany County. Historically, the town of Angelica was formed in 1805 from the town of Leicester in Livingston County, before Allegany County was formed. Angelica is the oldest town in Allegany County.
Sinclair said, “The program will focus on the chapter’s semiquincentennial celebration plans and will provide information about the resources that the DAR has available to share
with other organizations.” She will be joined by Deborah Snyder, also an Honorary Chapter Regent of the Catherine Schuyler Chapter, who is the State Chair for Constitution Week and past chapter chair of this committee. She will discuss the Constitution and how it is being honored. According to the national DAR, “The United States Constitution, America’s most important document, stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights. Constitution Week is celebrated annually during the week of September 1723 to commemorate its
history, importance, and bring attention to how it serves still today.
“This celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1955, when the DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
Attend this free program sponsored by the TRGHS and find out how the county will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.
Precision Auto Choice becomes Bobcat grounds maintenance equipment dealer
BELMONT — Precision Auto Choice, an automotive dealership serving Allegany County since 2019, is expanding its inventory as a newly authorized Bobcat Company equipment dealer.
In addition to its current selection of vehicles, Precision
Auto Choice will offer sales, service and parts of Bobcat-branded grounds maintenance equipment, including compact tractors, utility vehicles, attachments and zero-turn mowers.
“We are happy to offer Bobcat’s extensive equipment offerings to local customers,” said
Jeffrey Chamberlain, owner of Precision Auto Choice. “We are excited to expand our business to offer new product options and services to businesses and residents in our community.
excited to offer to our customers.”
“We’re ready, experienced and extremely knowledgeable about selecting the right equipment, as well as maintenance and repair,” Chamberlain continued. ”Bobcat is known for reliability and performance on any jobsite, and we are
“It’s great to welcome Precision Auto Choice to Bobcat,” said Ian Drugmand, director of channel development at Bobcat. “We are pleased to bring our GME products to a new customer base and happy to help a business expand into new equipment offerings.”
Precision Auto Choice is located at 5685 Tuckers Corners Road; precisionautochoice.com.
and Cuba Food Pantries, Wellsville Little League, The Salvation Army, and the Shane T. Colligan Park.”
The local AOH Division I also provides scholarships for college bound students.
The first 100 show participants will receive 10th Anniversary commemorative dash plaques sponsored by Bokman of Wellsville and a goodie bag. There are 35 trophies being offered to participants which are sponsored by Bokmans, ALCO Federal Credit Union, Collins Automotive, Roberts Electric, Genesee Valley Media, Walker Metal Smith. CTC Signs, Pizza King, Texas Hot, Ryan Insurance Agencies and many others. For the entertainment of the participants and the spectators there
are two contests to hear and see — a donated blow-up car contest for determining how long it takes for an engine without oil and coolant to blow up and the loudest exhaust system which is measured in decibels and a 50/50 drawing.
Food and craft vendors will be on hand to supply sustenance for the body and soul and music will accompany the reeving engines and thundering exhaust systems.
For more information email the local Allegany County AOH at aoh.div1@yahoo. com or go the AOH Facebook page for the most up to date Car Show info at https:// www.facebook.com/ WellsvilleAOH or email event co-chair Brian Cannon at aohcannon@gmail.com. ➡Park ’N the Park continued from PAGE 1
Photo provided
Precision Auto Choice of Belmont is now a dealer of Bobcat Company grounds maintenance equipment.
Joan Sinclair
home improvement
How to select the right tankless electric water heater for any home
(BPT) — Tankless electric water heaters are transforming the way households experience hot water by offering energy-efficient, space-saving solutions that deliver heated water on demand. These compact units can be up to 98% smaller than traditional storage water heaters. They may be installed in tight spaces or even mounted to a wall, freeing up valuable space while reducing energy consumption.
Selecting the right model requires preparation and research. Homeowners should consider key elements of their home’s design, including the number of occupants, bathrooms and hot water appliances - paired with overall water usage - to ensure the correct tankless electric water heater is installed.
the right size tankless electric water heater.
Tip 1: Estimate household hot water demand
A critical first step is properly estimating the household’s hot water demand. A tankless electric water heater’s flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM), determines its size. Calculating how many hot water GPMs the household typically uses is essential and is done by adding up the flow rates of fixtures, such as faucets and showers, that run at the same time.
After determining the GPM required to meet all the household’s simultaneous needs, the homeowner can choose
For example, if someone uses the shower while two faucets are running, the home will need a tankless electric water heater with at least a 5 GPM capacity. See infographic for an overview of product usage, sizing and geographic zones. Another important consideration is the number of bathrooms and typical usage patterns of occupants. Larger families or homes with multiple bathrooms may require a higher-capacity unit, whereas smaller households can often rely on a more compact solution. For example, the Rheem RTEX and EcoSmart models under
the Rheem® family of brands cater to a wide range of needs, from point-of-use (POU) units for single fixtures, to whole-home options designed to handle multiple fixtures concurrently.
Tip 2: Factor in regional climate
Groundwater temperatures vary across the country. In northern regions of the U.S., which tend to be colder, the ground water is also colder. This means that a higher temperature rise (difference between the ground water temperature and the desired output water temperature) is required compared to warmer southern areas.
For example, in southern areas where
the groundwater temperature is 62° F, to reach a desired output water temperature of 105° F, the temperature rise would be 43° F. Whereas, in northern regions, if the groundwater temperature is 40° F to reach 105° F, the temperature rise is much higher at 65° F. The unit has to work harder to achieve this temperature. For this reason, certain models will work well in southern climates, but a similar household in a northern region may need a larger tankless electric water heater to achieve the degree rise needed to meet household hot water requirements.
➡Natural Gas Ban
immediately overhaul their heating systems beginning Jan. 1, Langworthy pointed out they WILL have to if a furnace conks out and must be replaced. He asked, for example, how an elderly woman on a fixed income, living in an older house, will be able to afford potentially tens of thousands of dollars to change from a forced air, natural gas furnace to an electric system. He noted as well that the cost of all-electric heating is greater than that of natural gas, propane or even oil.
The congressman cited a 2021 study by Home Innovation Research Labs that found the additional cost of building an all-electric house to one with natural gas ranged from approximately $3,800 to more than $15,000. He also noted the cost of a geo-thermal heat pump is $12,000 to as much as $45,000
while, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, there is a 42% increase in annual costs for households using electricity over natural gas. Meanwhile, the congressman said, “I don’t need to tell anyone in the Southern Tier what a lifeline natural gas and propane are during a winter power outage.”
Langworthy recalled Winter Storm Elliott in the Buffalo area in December 2022 — just days before he took office — and the deaths of 69 people. He said he believes “with full conviction” the death toll would have been much higher without natural gas heating homes.
IN CASE’
‘JUST
Nick Ferreri, owner of Field of Dreams who hosted Langworthy in the congressman’s stop in Allegany, pointed out that Gov. Kathy Hochul is from Buffalo “and
she should know what winters are like here in Western New York.”
Ferreri said in his home he has always made sure he has a serviceable gas fireplace — “just in case.”
John Healy, executive director of the Builders Exchange of the Southern Tier, said the choice of what heating system and appliances to use should be up to the consumer, not the state. Builders in New York have stated they already have seen fewer housing contracts as a result of the impending regulations.
“People should have the right to choose what they want in their homes,” Healy said.
GOALS ON REDUCING EMISSIONS
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, passed to allow New York to reach Democrats’ goals of
health & Wellness
reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuel emissions in the state, allows for exemptions, including for emergency backup power systems.
But Langworthy said Tuesday it’s unclear whether homeowners’ backup generators, which can be powered by natural gas in the event of electric power outages, will still be allowed on Jan. 1.
The federal court for the Northern District of New York upheld the state’s 2019 law in July, rejecting claims that it is preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). The court noted that New York’s law regulates building code, not appliance energy use, distinguishing it from an overturned natural gas ban in Berkeley, California.
A building industry coalition has requested that the U.S. Department of Justice step in
and block the state’s new code from taking effect. Ken Lovett, senior communications advisor on energy and environment for Hochul, accused Langworthy of “grandstanding and fearmongering” on the gas ban issue Tuesday. He added “the congressman’s time would be better spent trying to reverse the massive federal cuts he enthusiastically helped push through that will devastate the communities he swore to represent here in New York. Unlike the congressman, who has backed policies like tariffs that are driving up costs for New Yorkers, the governor has made affordability a real priority by passing a state budget that promises to put up to $5,000 back in New Yorkers pockets.”
Top reasons why most Americans avoid getting their check-ups
(BPT) — Did you know 90% of Americans put off check-ups or recommended screenings that could help identify and treat serious illness early? Aflac’s 2025 Wellness Matters Survey reveals what’s making Americans hesitate to get wellness examsand who avoids them most.
Surprisingly, among Americans under 60, women were most likely to admit skipping their common recommended screenings: Gen Z women (68% versus 55% of Gen Z men); millennial women (63% versus 61% millennial men) and Gen X women (63% versus 54% Gen X men).
If you or a loved one are delaying taking care of your health, you’re not alone - but your inaction could result in increased costs, worse health outcomes, or even a shorter lifespan. The good news is, you can take steps today to help safeguard your health.
Barriers to care
The Wellness Matters Survey found an alarming 94% of Americans face barriers to getting recommended screenings. Across all generations, Americans delay health care because going to the doctor isn’t always easy - logistically or emotionally. Many people avoid appointments for practical reasons including cost,
time and transportation, but emotional factors like fear of bad news or embarrassment also create obstacles:
• Nearly half of Americans (48%) face logistical barriers including conflicts with work hours and challenges taking time off for appointments.
• Nearly 40% have canceled or not scheduled a doctor’s appointment because the wait time was too long.
• Americans have avoided these common screenings:* pap smear (33%)
• prostate exam (32%)
• colonoscopy (32%)
• mammogram (31%)
• blood test (31%)
• full-body skin cancer exam (27%)
• STD screening (22%)
Notably, millennials are most likely to avoid these overall screenings (62%), closely followed by Gen Z (61%):
• Gen Z reports experiencing feelings of personal embarrassment and distrust or dislike of doctors (32%).
• Embarrassment and fear of bad news prevents nearly 1 in 4 young women, particularly Gen Z, from getting on-time screenings.
Advantages
of checkups and screenings
Annual checkups with a primary care physician offer several benefits. They give your provider a baseline so changes can help identify health issues early, when they’re much more treatable. Wellness exams also offer opportunities to ask questions and alleviate concerns, which can be reassuring. Information from trained, experienced health care providers is more reliable and accurate than what you may find online about your concerns.
Waiting until you have a health crisis, then relying on urgent care or the emergency room, is also more costly than preventive care and timely management of health conditions. Many Americans (41%) - including Gen Z (51%) and millennials (54%) - primarily use urgent care or the emergency room for medical needs. Men (46%), African Americans (47%), Asian Americans (45%) and Hispanics (44%) are most likely to seek medical attention from urgent care or the emergency room.
Timely health screenings can ensure signs of illness - including cancer - are detected as early as possible, before you need to seek urgent care. Recent medical advances offer more
effective treatments for a variety of cancers and other diseases, but they’re more successful when started as soon as possible. Finding and treating cancer and other diseases early is your best bet for improved health outcomes, and could actually save your life.
Tips to manage health screenings
If you’re unsure what screenings you need, or haven’t seen a doctor in years, contact your health insurer to learn what doctors or clinics near you are covered by your plan, and what screenings are covered.
• Choose a primary care physician. Through your insurance network, find a practitioner located near you.
• Learn about screenings recommended for your age, gender and family health history. Start at CDC. gov for basic information.
• Keep a regular schedule by planning check-ups around your birthday, so you don’t forget.
• Maximize appointments by writing down questions you have before going.
• Plan ahead by adding recommended screening timelines to your calendar.
You can also encourage friends and loved ones to take care of their health by offering gentle reminders, expressing your concern for their well-being. In the Wellness Matters Survey, 73% said they feel the positive benefits of a thoughtful nudge about getting preventive care, with 83% of African Americans, 79% of Hispanics, 78% of Gen Z and 77% of millennials expressing thankfulness or a sense of relief that a friend or loved one urged them to go to the doctor.
Don’t wait for a health scare
Overall, the survey showed Americans know they should take a moment to schedule preventive care screenings or wellness visits, even though they delay it. For 65% of Americans, experiencing a health scare is what made them realize they need to be more proactive about their health. Unfortunately, many of those who believe they’ll be diagnosed with cancer are more likely to delay screen-
ings (62% versus 42%).
Coverage matters
Understandably, employees consider benefits packages to be vital for their physical, financial and mental well-being during a time of increased worry about health care costs. In fact, the 2024-2025 Aflac WorkForces Report found a growing number of employees would consider leaving their jobs for better benefits, even with a pay cut. Supplemental insurance benefits are an important part of a comprehensive benefits package, with most employees seeing an increasing need for supplemental insurance to help mitigate fear of unexpected medical events, helping to anchor financial stability and increase peace of mind. You can be more proactive about your health. Early detection and treatment are key, so start by making an appointment today. Visit Aflac.com/WellnessMatters (Spanish: Aflac. com/es/Wellness-Matters) to learn more.
Photo by Jim Eckstrom
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy (left) speaks with Nick Ferreri, owner of Field of Dreams in Allegany, during the congressman’s stop Tuesday at the assisted living and care facility in Allegany.
How to honor first responders
The attacks on September 11, 2001 remain the deadliest terror attacks in world history, claiming more than 2,900 lives and causing countless injuries and long-term health problems for tens of thousands of civilians and first responders.
The anniversary of 9/11 will no doubt evoke responses that
span the emotional spectrum. Sadness may dominate such responses, but the anniversary of 9/11 also is a great time to reflect on the efforts of first responders. First responders played a vital role on 9/11, and many lost their lives and/or suffered longterm health consequences resulting from their selfless efforts to save
innocent victims of the attacks.
In the two decades since the 9/11 attacks, first responders have continued to make countless sacrifices to ensure their communities are safe and peaceful places to call home.
The anniversary of 9/11 is a great time to recognize the efforts of first responders and honor them for all they do.
• Donate to local fire departments. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 54 percent of active firefighting personnel are volunteers. Many of those volunteer firefighters work for underfunded departments that are in need of financial support. Donating to such departments is a great way to show first responders how much their efforts are appreciated. Donations may be used to purchase new equipment, upgrade existing facilities, provide vital training, and/ or improve response times, the latter of which can increase the likelihood that firefighters make it through calls safe and sound.
• Back legislation to support wounded first responders. Many first responders suffer significant mental and physical injuries while on the job. Various nonprofit organizations help wounded first responders who may need to make modifications to their homes or purchase costly equipment to get through their daily lives. But nonprofit organizations cannot go it alone in support
of wounded first responders. Citizens can do their part by promoting and voting for local, state and national legislation that makes it easy for wounded first responders to get the help they need, when they need it. In addition to urging local politicians to support such legislation, private citizens can utilize social media to promote proposals and other efforts to support wounded first responders. Many 9/11 first responders are still fighting for government-backed support to treat injuries suffered 22 years ago, and a vocal citizenry can be a strong asset in their fight and the fight of
countless others in need of help.
• Commit to supporting first responders year-round. The anniversary of 9/11 will call attention to the efforts of first responders on that day 22 years ago as well as the countless times since then that these brave men and women have served their communities. But first responders deserve vocal, year-
round support. Make a concerted effort to thank policemen, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and doctors in your community whenever you interact with them, and urge others to follow suit.
First responders play a vital role in communities across the globe. The anniversary of 9/11 can serve as a catalyst for communities to express their support for first responders.
