HAYESVILLE — Curtis Smith, 92, could have bought a new tractor with his stimulus check.
The longtime Hayesville resident and Korean War veteran said he has what he needs, so he could have bought something he wanted. But instead Smith decided to donate his entire $1,200 to the Hayesville-Vermillion Fire Department.
“They do a good job. They volunteer their time, and well, I didn’t need another tractor or anything,” Smith said. “I really didn’t know what to put it towards, so I thought I’d put it to good use.”
He gave the money without conditions, but hopes at least some portion of the money is used to celebrate the department’s 21 volunteers.
“I told them I think they ought to spend it for a big party because the firemen, they are volunteers and they work for nothing, and sometimes they don’t get much recognition,” Smith said.
Living in Hayesville since 1941, he’s seen the department’s impact, and more recently, the volunteers have transported him to the hospital a few times.
President of the Hayesville-Vermillion Volunteer Fire Association Eric Walton thanked Smith for the donation.
“It’s pretty important to us to see the community step up and try to take care of us, help us out,” Walton said. “It’s just a good feeling to see people step up and notice the things we do.”
The department receives frequent community donations, but rarely receives such a significant dollar amount from one individual.
Decisions are yet to be made on how the money will be spent, but Walton does believe a small celebration could be part of the spend.
“He’s interested in us having a bit of a cookout, get-together or something for recognition, so we might have to do that, too, and still be able to take care of some needed supplies,” Walton said. “There’s always supplies we need taken care of, gloves and masks and stuff like that.”
