Volunteer departments from around Jones County, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Maysville Police Department, and the Mayors of both Pollocksville and Trenton and the Maysville Town Manager, took part in a surprise staff appreciation for Carolina East Internal Medicine in Pollocksville and Brook Stone Living Center nursing home.

Kyle Koonce, President of the Jones County Fire Association reached out to Chief Michael Jordan from Maysville Volunteer Fire Department and Kevin Aycock with Pollocksville Fire Department who agreed to organize it and make it happen.

“Chief Jordan saw this as a good opportunity for a county-wide event to show appreciation to our healthcare workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic,” said Safety Officer Kevin Aycock.

Two of their firefighters spent the entire day before detailing their trucks for the event. That amount of effort sends the message for how thankful they all are for their healthcare workers. The event had a great turnout with volunteer departments including Pollocksville Volunteer Fire Department, Maysville Volunteer Fire Department, Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, Comfort Volunteer Fire Department, Phillips Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, and Hargett’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.

April Aycock, Jones County Commissioner said, “Seeing the surprised look on the faces of the employees as they drove into work this morning really said a lot. I saw several front line caregivers with tears in their eyes as they waved and told the volunteers thank you. I hope they all realize how much they are appreciated. I am also so proud that our volunteers and law enforcement officers came together to do this for our community. They are simply amazing!”

The community can help the rural fire service by volunteering. Many rural departments need volunteers. Kevin Aycock reminds citizens to do their part to help our health care workers by considering them when it comes to social distancing, face coverings, other precautionary measures. One reason these measures are put into place is to prevent overloading the health care system.