With the 9/11 remembrance Sunday and a tough week for local authorities having just passed, the Ave Maria Home and St. Claire Health & Rehab in Bartlett showed their appreciation for local first responders Friday.
The senior living community at 2805 Charles Bryan Road, the second-oldest operating business in Bartlett, hosted a drive-by, parade-like event on its 10-acre campus.
“Our first responders and city officials work so hard for us, so we want to be able to recognize them, especially after this past week. With everything going on in Memphis, it seemed like a fitting time to thank them,” Ave Maria Chief Operating Officer and administrator Becky Lewis said. “We had a great turnout this year, so we’re very happy. We wish we could do it more often.”
Residents flashed smiles and waved hand-made signs of support as first responders from the Bartlett Police Department and Bartlett Fire Department drove through the grounds with lights and sirens.
“This event means a lot to us because we get to see just exactly how much the community likes having us around,” Bartlett Police Capt. Todd Halford said. “Too many times, you only think about first responders on 9/11 or when somebody’s hurt in the line of duty. The community here in Bartlett treats us amazingly like they really, really want us there.”
First responders were treated to red, white and blue donuts from Amazing Glaze in Cordova along with coffee and other beverages.
“Showing how much they appreciate us being here is a morale booster,” Bartlett fire paramedic Chris Wages said. “We work well with the facilities, and it’s positive morale for both the employees in the field and the residents in the facilities.”
“For me, it’s nice to be able to come here and not be in an emergency situation,” his partner, Bartlett Fire EMT Dorothy Woodland said. “It’s good to be able to just say ‘Hi.’”
Read more: https://dailymemphian.com/section/suburbs/article/30845/bartlett-ave-maria-honors-first-responders