Originally published WNEM 5 News on January 10, 2024
A ninth-grade student at Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy has raised more than $10,000 to purchase grain bin entrapment equipment needed to help her local first responders rescue victims.
With the support of businesses and community members local to Ithaca, Zoey Harrison raised $10,290 to purchase the rescue equipment for the Gratiot Emergency Services Authority’s (GESA) Ithaca and Perrinton fire stations.
“I was inspired to start this fundraiser in support of our local fire station after learning they didn’t have the grain bin entrapment equipment needed to rescue farmers in rural communities like Ithaca,” Zoey said. “Our local firefighters have applied for grants for this equipment before and been denied twice. But now, with these funds, two local fire stations will be able to purchase the equipment and cover the costs of the specialized training the first responders need to utilize it.”
Zoey launched the fundraising campaign in November 2023 and visited more than 50 local Ithaca businesses to ask for support in meeting her $4,000 goal. It only took two weeks to raise enough funds to purchase the equipment.
“Grain bin entrapment rescue equipment is critical for saving lives in rural areas that harvest significant amounts of grain like Ithaca,” said David Nelson, GESA fire chief. “Thanks to Zoey’s heart for her community and the generous donations from our local businesses and community members, the Ithaca and Perrinton stations will be able to better respond in these life-and-death situations.”
The following businesses supported the fundraiser:
- Alley T Screen Printing Embroidery & Promotional Products
- Chaffin Farms
- Chasing Fireflies
- Central Ag Seeds
- Farmers Insurance – Karen Smith Agency
- Hirschman Grain
- Kellogg Farms
- Kimmel Propane Inc
- Los Hermanos Mexican Restaurant
- Main Street Pizza Ithaca
- Sandy Ridge Farms
- Taco Bell
- The Wagon Wheel
- X-Ability Store
McDonald’s of Ithaca donated $4,000 to cover the cost of one additional set of equipment for the GESA Perrinton Fire Station for recognizing Zoey’s efforts to give back to her community.
Zeeland Farm Services Ithaca is also covering the cost of additional safety equipment needed by firefighters to enter grain bins for rescue purposes and assisting with training for all GESA firefighters.
Zoey baked 44 pies as a thank you to everyone who donated to the fundraiser.
To learn more about Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, visit https://mglva.k12.com/.
