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Back Row: Deb Stewart, member; Susan Mills, Vice-President; Cheryl Thornhill, member
Front Row: Chealsy Yeagle, Anna Yeagle, Jeri Widener, Treasurer, Carla Cothran, President |
The Rossburg Fire Dept. Auxiliary is giving back to the family of Chealsy Yeagle who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. Chealsy, the middle of three girls, is an active 15 year old looking forward to getting her license in about 4 weeks and is a sophomore at Ansonia High School. Her smile is contagious and her attitude about life is inspiring, but the most enduring feature about Chealsy is the fact that she is always the first to volunteer for anything you need help with. The Fire Department and Auxiliary really got to know Chealsy back in 2010 when she came up and volunteered to help with the Ice Cream Social where she worked harder than most anyone else. This beautiful petite blonde young woman has been a cheerleader in Jr. High and Sr. High, on the Bowling Team, where the opposing teams would make bets about how old she really is. Chealsy jokingly stated that she thought about carrying a copy of her birth certificate to prove her actual age.
Speaking with Chealsy at the check presentation regarding what are some of the day to day obstacles that she faces, she replied that breathing and digestion are always at the front of her everyday struggles. She also laughed and said, “Buying my clothes is also a problem. I have to watch the sizes. Junior smalls are sometimes too big and the kid’s department clothes don’t seem to fit my style.” Anna Yeagle, Chealsy’s mom also stated that shopping with Chealsy is an adventure. Anna said that she has plenty of help with keeping a normal atmosphere at home for Chealsey from her other two daughters, Whitney and Katlynn. “The girls know what needs to be done and that is such a great help to me. However, the girls have their normal picking on each other, so do I treat Chealsy special, no. I want her to experience as much of a normal life that she can.” Anna thanked the Auxiliary numerous times stating that the money will come in handy with Chealsy’s hospital bills. Ms. Yeagle stated, “Since the first of the year, Chealsy has been in the hospital 3 times and each time is just as stressful as the last.”
The Auxiliary wanted to do something to help this amazing young lady when we realized the financial hardship each hospital stay incurred. Jeri Widener, Auxiliary Treasurer, stated, “I brought it up at one of the meetings and everyone was so excited about helping a family right here in Rossburg. We discussed it with the family and once everyone was on board with the idea, we ordered the shirts with a company that designs firefighter t-shirts.” She continued, “Our president called them, worked up a design and I am not sure who was more excited about the shirts, the Auxiliary or the family!” Deb Stewart, Auxiliary member said, “It is just amazing that we have such a great community support for the Fire Department, it is just wonderful to give back to one of members of the community this way. Because of Chealsy’s eagerness to help us, we felt compelled to help her when she needed it most.” Deb continues, “I asked Chealsy what her future plans are since she is enrolled at Edison next year and she stated that she wants to become a Pediatric Doctor. And she will be an amazing one at that!”
